34th Annual Scientific Meeting proceedings

Introduction

Surgeons are uniquely placed to lead research that is clinically meaningful and directly translatable. Combining hands-on patient care with scientific inquiry allows surgeon-researchers to bridge critical gaps between discovery and practice. Impactful research goes beyond publications — it informs clinical guidelines, improves patient outcomes, and changes thinking.

Identifying Meaningful Research Questions

Strong research often begins with clinical observation. Patterns, complications, or unexpected outcomes can all highlight gaps in knowledge. Effective questions are relevant, feasible, and important. Surgeons should engage the wider clinical team — residents, nurses, and students — to generate and refine ideas. Quality improvement initiatives and audits often provide natural foundations for hypothesis-driven work.

Designing Feasible but Rigorous Studies

Research in surgical settings must balance methodological rigour with real-world feasibility. Common study types include retrospective cohort studies, prospective observational studies, and clinical trials. Collaborating with statisticians early can streamline the design. Clearly defined outcomes, proper case definitions, and consideration of sample size limitations are essential.

Data Quality and Reproducibility

Standardisation is key in surgical studies. Developing and adhering to protocols improves reproducibility. Authors should follow established reporting guidelines like STROBE or CONSORT to ensure transparency. Ethical data handling, appropriate consent, and secure data storage underpin credibility.

Publishing with Purpose

Publishing is a vehicle for dissemination. Selecting the right journal, framing the narrative clearly, and being resilient to peer review are all critical. Thoughtful writing — telling the story of the research — helps readers engage with the work and recognise its importance.

Maximising Impact

Impact extends beyond academic circles. Sharing findings through CPD, guideline committees, and professional networks can accelerate uptake. Social media, visual abstracts, and infographics are powerful tools. Multicentre collaborations and One Health frameworks can further extend relevance and reach.

Balancing Research with Clinical Commitments

Many surgeons feel constrained by time, but even small research contributions matter. Embedding research into clinical routines — such as using MDTs to generate ideas or aligning audits with research goals — makes the process sustainable. Mentorship and a supportive culture are vital to foster the next generation of surgeon-scientists.

Conclusion

Surgical research doesn’t need to be large to be impactful. By embedding research into clinical culture, engaging teams, and focusing on practical relevance, surgeons can drive meaningful improvements. The future of surgery depends on a strong evidence base — and surgeons themselves are the key to building it.