The Academic Surgical Collaborative: Launching a new trainee research collaborative

Grupos de investigación colaborativa: ventajas e impacto en la investigación quirúrgica, un llamado desde ColombianSurg

La medicina basada en la evidencia surge como una estrategia para superar la práctica médica apoyada en la racionalidad fisiopatológica y la experiencia clínica no sistematizada 1. A lo largo de su desarrollo, ha generado la necesidad de adoptar una mayor responsabilidad frente a la investigación, como un aspecto importante del crecimiento profesional médico. Actualmente, se considera una aptitud clave en el desempeño de la medicina, asociada a la capacidad de contribuir a la investigación clínica, en beneficio de la atención del paciente. De hecho, las competencias investigativas, de comprensión y análisis crítico, de las publicaciones médico-científicas, son fundamentales para una buena práctica clínica 2,3.

The Academic Surgical Collaborative: A three-year review of a trainee research collaborative

INTRODUCTION

The Academic Surgical Collaborative (ASC) is a trainee research collaborative (TRC) formed in the UK in October 2014. Three years on, the achievements are presented along with advice for emerging and established TRCs. Methods: A retrospective review of internal, member-maintained ASC records was conducted. Membership numbers, PubMed indexed publications, presentations and prizes awarded were all calculated over time. Google Scholar was used to calculate citations per ASC publication. An online survey was distributed to members to ascertain member satisfaction.

RESULTS

With 62 active members (predominantly medical students) the ASC has published 33 PubMed indexed papers over three years, with a mean of 21 citations per paper (SD 89, range 0-491). 54 presentations have been delivered and eight prizes have been awarded for ASC research projects. 60% of ASC members believe the ASC delivers research that improves patient care. Key learning points for the ASC have been the use of a set of resources distributed to new members, the value of regular meetings, close mentoring throughout research projects to develop the skills of junior researchers, encouragement for junior members to present at conferences, and an ongoing focus on research conduct and improving evidence based medicine.

CONCLUSIONS

The ASC has fulfilled many of its goals set out at its inception. The ASCs subsequent aims are to enhance existing research training for junior members, advances in the field of core outcome development and also multi-collaborative research.