Review:
The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) recently hosted its highly anticipated ICOSET/Triennial Conference under the banner “A World of Innovation”.
This prestigious event brought together some of the brightest minds in surgery and dentistry to explore groundbreaking advancements shaping the future of healthcare.
The conference featured a dynamic mix of keynote speeches, debates, workshops, and panel discussions.
Highlights of the panel discussions included spirited debates on the role of AI in surgical education, comparisons between surgical performance and elite sports, and deep-dives into innovations such as mobile assessment tools, mentorship programs, and human augmentation technologies.
Delegates gained valuable insights on performing at their best and leading diverse teams in challenging environments. Mr. David Wightwick, CEO of UK Med, shared forwards-thinking leadership strategies, while Major General Professor Tim Hodgetts, Master General of the Army Medical Services, offered his perspective on driving rapid innovation during crises.
Renowned speakers included Kenneth Walker, Professor of Surgical Education at RCSEd who addressed the current landscape of surgical education and its future and Harvard Medical School’s Professor Haytham Kaafarani, a world renowned expert in patient safety, who highlighted innovative approaches to improve staff wellbeing and support surgical teams in the aftermath of errors in surgery, a critical issues known to significantly impact the mental health of surgical professionals.
Katie Hurst, previous Trainee Member of Council and General Surgery Registrar, and Emma Howie, General Surgical Registrar at the University of Edinburgh, featured on a panel discussion exploring surgical innovation and its impact on training future generations of surgeons.
The event shone a spotlight on global advancements in surgical education, trauma care, and leadership in austere environments, drawing comparisons with industries such as Formula 1 and professional athletics, highlighting the important role of mental health in performance of both athletes and doctors.
Reflecting on the Conference, Anna Paisley, pictured, RCSEd Council Member and Chair of the ICOSET/Triennial Steering Group, said: “We were delighted to bring a diverse, international programme to our attendees.
“The buzz around the College campus during the Conference was tremendous. Community, friendship, learning from, and supporting each other are the foundations that underpin the whole ethos of the College. So, it was particularly special to be able to welcome everyone to Edinburgh, to renew old friendships, forge new ones and expand the College family.
“The success of any conference comes from the delegates and each and every one of them made the three days truly special. It was a real pleasure to meet attendees from over 30 countries and six continents. I was grateful to everyone for their camaraderie, contributions to discussions, and for embracing the social programme.”
The conference closed with thought-provoking discussions on resilience, collaboration, and patient safety in modern practice, further cementing RCSEd’s position as a global leader in surgical innovation and education.
Source: Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
Image: Anna Paisley, RCSEd Council Member and Chair of the ICOSET/Triennial Steering Group, submitted by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
