Lay summary
I am a general surgery trainee with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. I intend on extending my training to pursue fulltime research through a PhD at the University of Auckland. This will facilitate my goal of becoming a clinician researcher who is capable of responding to clinical needs by leading the development of evidence-based solutions. Upper gastrointestinal (UGI) and hepatopancreaticobillary (HPB) cancers have amongst the worst survival rates. Surgery offers the best option for cure. Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has been associated with improved outcomes. New Zealand’s small population and large geographical size lends it to be classified as a low volume surgical environment. My research will define the challenges to surgeons and institutions in introducing and maintaining high performing surgical services that use MIS to treat UGI and HPB conditions. Therein, develop a process whereby complex, minimally invasive surgical procedures can be introduced and maintained in New Zealand.