Bristol Oxford Surgical Trials Intervention Course (BOSTiC): Registration Open
The Oxford and Bristol Surgical Trials Units will be holding a 3 day surgical research training event on surgical trials for foundation, core and specialist trainees of all surgical specialities. Learn how to design and conduct RCTs in surgery that answer research questions of relevance to surgeons, patients and the NHS.
The course will take place on Wednesday 7th – Friday 9th September at Worcester College, Oxford and you can find more information on the course website.
NOW RECRUITING: surgical trainees to become CIPHER Study CT Scan Assessors
The CIPHER Study is an NIHR-funded national cohort study investigating the prevention of parastomal hernias (PSH).
During abdominal surgery, it is sometimes necessary to create a stoma to divert faeces from the bowel into an external pouch or bag. Unfortunately, the formation of the stoma can be associated with future complications, including the risk of developing a parastomal hernia (PSH). A PSH is an incisional hernia, immediately adjacent and related to the stoma, that occurs when the fascia in the abdominal wall splits. Contents of the abdomen, e.g. fatty tissue or intestine, can be forced through the split in the fascia causing a bulge in the skin. PSH can reduce health-related quality of life and limitations in sexual function, travel, social interaction and return to work.
To obtain the objective radiological data, computerised tomography (CT) scans patients have during their participation in the study will be assessed by surgical trainees. CT scans use X-rays and a computer to create detailed images of the inside of the body. Niroshini Rajaretnam, a Senior Colorectal Research Registrar on the study team will be leading a training programme for surgical trainees which includes completing a training curriculum and passing an exam to become CIPHER CT Scan Assessors. The training programme is due to start in March/April 2022.
If you are a UK Surgical Registrar and are interested in finding out more about becoming a CIPHER CT Scan Assessor, please email the CIPHER research team (cipher-study@bristol.ac.uk). There are incentives for taking part including authorship on study publications (subject to Memorandum of understanding).
This study is funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme (Ref 14/166/01). The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.