Ensuring a bright future for clinical research in surgery with trainee led research networks

The publication of the ROSSINI trial is a landmark in the short history of trainee led research networks in the UK. The trainee led West Midlands Research Collaborative (WMRC), with the support of experienced senior clinicians and researchers, designed and managed all aspects of ROSSINI, while trainees were responsible for driving recruitment in the 21 participating sites. The result was a well conducted trial, which remarkably completed recruitment ahead of schedule.1

The involvement of trainees in research is not new. However, never before have trainees worked together across the UK to deliver high quality clinical research. Such an approach has multiple benefits for clinical research studies, trainees, and ultimately patients.2

We believe that the ROSSINI trial, together with the recently published multicentre trainee led prospective study of appendicectomy, have firmly established the feasibility of trainee research networks, as well as the key role they have to play in terms of undertaking high quality clinical research.3

Following the example set by the WMRC, networks for trainees in neurosurgery, paediatric surgery, plastic surgery, trauma and orthopaedics, ear, nose, and throat surgery, urology, and cardiothoracic surgery are currently being established.

The British Neurosurgical Trainee Research Collaborative was formed in April 2012. In the 12 months since its inception, the collaborative held a launch meeting that was attended by trainees from 21 different hospitals, secured start-up research funding (grant awarded by the Society of British Neurological Surgeons), and launched its first prospective UK-wide, trainee led, protocol driven observational cohort study.2 Two randomised multicentre trials and a further prospective cohort study are currently in development.

We are confident that the establishment of trainee networks, together with the developing surgical research infrastructure, which is supported by the Royal College of Surgeons of England and partner organisations, will ensure a bright future for clinical research in surgery.