30 October 2024 (Last updated 30 Oct 2024)

India Jacklin-Chatha, Aashlesha Galla, and Jahnavi Kalvala, medical students at the University of Nottingham and members of the ACPGBI Medical Students Committee, were interviewed by Mr Neel Sengupta, Colorectal Surgeon at the Royal Free Hospital and member of the ACPGBI External Affairs Committee.

1. Why have you chosen to become a medical student member of the ACPGBI?
   We were introduced to ACPGBI by India, who set up the Medical Students Chapter along with the past president of ACPGBI. India did her dissertation in colorectal surgery and presented her work at the ACPGBI 2022 Annual Meeting, where she met Mr Maxwell-Armstrong who supported her in creating this category, with the aim of exposing students to colorectal surgery and tailoring events to the medical student level. The first introduction was at the ACPGBI East Midlands Meeting, where Aashlesha and Jahnavi were introduced to the organisation. Joining ACPGBI was a way to learn more about the speciality and meet like minded people interested in the same.
    
2. What has motivated you to choose surgery in general?
   Nottingham’s Surgical Society played a big role in honing our interest in surgery. Through various events with surgeons and trainees, we learnt more about what this speciality has to offer. The practicality of surgery, mixed with the art of anatomy, makes it a really appealing speciality. Having a mix of emergency procedures that are critical to the speciality yet enticing, and elective procedures that can drastically improve someone's quality of life, is a balance no other speciality offers. We also love being in theatre!
    
3. What are your personal reasons for choosing coloproctology as a future speciality? 
   Coloproctology offers variety in the world of general surgery. There is a good mixture of lifestyle and lifesaving procedures as well as major advancements in the world of robotics which offer the opportunity for surgeons to advance and diversify their skills. We have also enjoyed our time in colorectal theatres - both elective and emergency cases - therefore immersing ourselves with the opportunities in theatre and with the surgical team. The colorectal surgeons that we have met have always been welcoming and involved us in theatre and on the wards, which is encouraging and helps show the friendly environment we could be working in in the future!
    
4. Please tell me about your work as the Medical Students Committee of the ACPGBI
   We successfully applied for the Royal College of Surgeons Eng Grassroots in Surgery Scheme, that allows surgical societies to address issues in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Surgery. We have used this fund to host Widening Participation (WP) events across the country for students in school interested in pursuing a career in medicine and surgery. Through these events, we introduce students to life as a surgeon, teach them basic surgical skills and handling emergency scenarios, and also have mini mentoring sessions with medical students and surgeons in training.
   In addition to the WP event, we have also started various initiatives and held numerous events including a medical student skills day, with plans to collaborate with the Duke’s Club. Additionally, we host a medical students networking event at the annual meeting, attracting students from around the world. We are currently conducting research into coloproctology in medical education nationally. We also have a very active instagram account which is our main form of publicity and advertising, such as a monthly digest that summarises the surgical opportunities available to students.
    
5. What advice would you give to medical students who wish to pursue a career in colorectal surgery?

• Say Hi! Introduce yourself to the Colorectal Team at your hospital and try to get involved as much as you can, whether that’s joining ward round or clinics
• Scrub In! Try to get involved when in theatre as much as you can, scrub in and ask to help. Brush up on your suturing skills and scrubbing in technique before going into theatre
• Projects! Ask your local colorectal team for any projects you can get involved in, or better yet, approach them with a project you have thought of, like a quality improvement project
• Take advantage of being a student! Go on free or subsidised conferences and courses, approach local or regional student surgical societies for suturing practice
• Join us! Join the ACPGBI as a Medical Student member for free!

 

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