S IMPSON
POINTS OF VIEW
such fellowships per year funded by the Foundation have been suggested. This is hardly adequate, and while one in each department would be desirable, I would regard the bare minimum as two for New Zealand and four for Australia. In addition, the Foundation could support joint educational ventures between the universities and the College in the form of workshops on teaching and research, and could assist i n the dispersal of the educational expertise which the universities clearly have. Educational equipment and resource material could
be bought by the Foundation for joint College and University use. The Foundation is a concept which should be supported by all of us. I think it can contribute significantly to enhancing the standing of academic surgery in our countries and to bringing about a cementing of the relationship between the College and the Universities. This will produce a long-term benefit to surgery and surgeons in Australasia. I hope that this is the direction in which it will evolve.
THE ROYAL AUSTRALASIAN COLLEGE OF SURGEONS FOUNDATION JOHNGARVEY’ John Radcliffe Hospital, O x f o r d SOME of the present proposals for a R.A.C.S. Foundation, as outlined in the recent College pamphlet appear to have a good deal of merit. Postgraduate education. - One aspect that appears to have been overlooked in the proposals for continuing education is preparation for the Part I and Part II examinations. With thechanges that have taken place in the Part 1 curriculum especially, I see the need for more full-time and possibly day-release courses (at least twice yearly), to provide the prospective candidate with a thorough, informed background for the examination. There will atways be those who have no need for a formal course and who can pass with apparent ease. However, the majority of Part 1 candidates would indeed benefit from a formal course, either intensive or spread out over the year, and I see it as a role of the Foundation to take the initiative and provide more facilities in all States to continue education at the basic level. Although I have no direct experience in preparation for the Part II examination, provision of formal courses for finaf examination candidates in each State could also be an area in which the Foundation would play a leading role. Research fellowships. -The Council has seen the need to establish a programme of research for Fellows and potential Fellows. The proposal to establish two more rasearch Fellowships is indeed 1 1977-1978 R A C S Edward Lumley Research Fellow
684
timely. At present, money is difficult to obtain by those who wish to undertake basic research. The prospect of two more research Fellowships would provide encouragement for those who wish to undertake some basic research. The Research Fellow’s salary should be no less than that of his counterpart in the service side of training. In fact, it should be considered as an integral part of his training and the trainee should not suffer financial setbacks to undertake his research project. The remuneration should be entirely comparable with the basic salary of a registrartraineeat an equivalent scale. In this way more people with the desire and ability but without financial security could apply. I have personally derived substantial benefit from my two-year Lumley Fellowship, and the experience gained in basic research and the ability to participate full time in an ongoing research programme has been most rewarding. I would actively encourage prospective applicants to avail themselves of these new Fellowships when they become available.
Research grants. - I am unsure of the merits of future research directly funded in an ongoing programme by a R.A.C.S. Foundation related only to community welfare as outlined on the College document. Apart from designation by specific bequests, the only determinant of the type of research to be undertaken should be the merit of the AUST.N.Z. J. SURG.VOL. 49 - No. 6, DECEMBER, 1979
GARVEY
POINTS OF VIEW
proposal and not necessarily the current needs of the community. In my view, monetary support for research projects might be better directed to university departments of surgery where such projects would be worked through in a more disciplined scientific environment. Method of payment. - I am also unsure of the best method of eliciting contributions from Fellows. Voluntary contributions would probably not sustain the Foundation's activities for long, but if they are to be compulsory, efforts should be made to keep the
size of the individuals' contributions small but at realistic levels. Concfusion. - The provision of more full-time research fellowships and more programmes of postgraduate education before and after the Fellowship stage by the proposed R.A.C.S. Foundation seem worthy of Fellows' support. However, a direct role of the Foundation in promoting basic research might be better achieved by directing such funds into established university departments of surgery.
REPLY R.
c. BENNETT
Melbourne
COMMENTS arising from the Editorial in this subject published in the October 1979 issue have been received from John F. Forbes, John S. Simpson and John Garvey. These contributions, coming from members of academic departments, very appropriately emphasize the important education and research activities which might evolve through the Foundation. It is particularly encouraging to note the interest generated in these young but veryactive Fellows, and also to receive the comments from a trainee, Mr Garvey, who has been the Edward Lumley Research Fellow for the last two years. Each contribution is valuable and puts forward useful suggestions. Clearly these are all matters to which the Establishment Committee and Council will give close attention. While it may be that Council
AUST. N.Z. J. SURG.VOL. 49
-
No. 6, DECEMBER, 1979
is unable to accept each suggeston, for priorities must be decided, and limits imposed while there are limited funds, it is interest and enthusiasm of this sort that make the concept so important. Obviously, the extent to which the Foundation is able to support one or more of the proposals outlined in the previously distributed brochure, or mentioned in the above contributions, will depend upon the support which is given by Fellows. If this is strong, then Council is confident that further support will be attracted from outside sources. An important new dimension will be added to College activities. It should be possible to make very real, valuable and new contributions in almost every area of College involvement. The long-term future of the College will be secure, while its educational and professional standing will be enhanced.
POINTS OF VIEW
such fellowships per year funded by the Foundation have been suggested. This is hardly adequate, and while one in each department would be desirable, I would regard the bare minimum as two for New Zealand and four for Australia. In addition, the Foundation could support joint educational ventures between the universities and the College in the form of workshops on teaching and research, and could assist i n the dispersal of the educational expertise which the universities clearly have. Educational equipment and resource material could
be bought by the Foundation for joint College and University use. The Foundation is a concept which should be supported by all of us. I think it can contribute significantly to enhancing the standing of academic surgery in our countries and to bringing about a cementing of the relationship between the College and the Universities. This will produce a long-term benefit to surgery and surgeons in Australasia. I hope that this is the direction in which it will evolve.
THE ROYAL AUSTRALASIAN COLLEGE OF SURGEONS FOUNDATION JOHNGARVEY’ John Radcliffe Hospital, O x f o r d SOME of the present proposals for a R.A.C.S. Foundation, as outlined in the recent College pamphlet appear to have a good deal of merit. Postgraduate education. - One aspect that appears to have been overlooked in the proposals for continuing education is preparation for the Part I and Part II examinations. With thechanges that have taken place in the Part 1 curriculum especially, I see the need for more full-time and possibly day-release courses (at least twice yearly), to provide the prospective candidate with a thorough, informed background for the examination. There will atways be those who have no need for a formal course and who can pass with apparent ease. However, the majority of Part 1 candidates would indeed benefit from a formal course, either intensive or spread out over the year, and I see it as a role of the Foundation to take the initiative and provide more facilities in all States to continue education at the basic level. Although I have no direct experience in preparation for the Part II examination, provision of formal courses for finaf examination candidates in each State could also be an area in which the Foundation would play a leading role. Research fellowships. -The Council has seen the need to establish a programme of research for Fellows and potential Fellows. The proposal to establish two more rasearch Fellowships is indeed 1 1977-1978 R A C S Edward Lumley Research Fellow
684
timely. At present, money is difficult to obtain by those who wish to undertake basic research. The prospect of two more research Fellowships would provide encouragement for those who wish to undertake some basic research. The Research Fellow’s salary should be no less than that of his counterpart in the service side of training. In fact, it should be considered as an integral part of his training and the trainee should not suffer financial setbacks to undertake his research project. The remuneration should be entirely comparable with the basic salary of a registrartraineeat an equivalent scale. In this way more people with the desire and ability but without financial security could apply. I have personally derived substantial benefit from my two-year Lumley Fellowship, and the experience gained in basic research and the ability to participate full time in an ongoing research programme has been most rewarding. I would actively encourage prospective applicants to avail themselves of these new Fellowships when they become available.
Research grants. - I am unsure of the merits of future research directly funded in an ongoing programme by a R.A.C.S. Foundation related only to community welfare as outlined on the College document. Apart from designation by specific bequests, the only determinant of the type of research to be undertaken should be the merit of the AUST.N.Z. J. SURG.VOL. 49 - No. 6, DECEMBER, 1979
GARVEY
POINTS OF VIEW
proposal and not necessarily the current needs of the community. In my view, monetary support for research projects might be better directed to university departments of surgery where such projects would be worked through in a more disciplined scientific environment. Method of payment. - I am also unsure of the best method of eliciting contributions from Fellows. Voluntary contributions would probably not sustain the Foundation's activities for long, but if they are to be compulsory, efforts should be made to keep the
size of the individuals' contributions small but at realistic levels. Concfusion. - The provision of more full-time research fellowships and more programmes of postgraduate education before and after the Fellowship stage by the proposed R.A.C.S. Foundation seem worthy of Fellows' support. However, a direct role of the Foundation in promoting basic research might be better achieved by directing such funds into established university departments of surgery.
REPLY R.
c. BENNETT
Melbourne
COMMENTS arising from the Editorial in this subject published in the October 1979 issue have been received from John F. Forbes, John S. Simpson and John Garvey. These contributions, coming from members of academic departments, very appropriately emphasize the important education and research activities which might evolve through the Foundation. It is particularly encouraging to note the interest generated in these young but veryactive Fellows, and also to receive the comments from a trainee, Mr Garvey, who has been the Edward Lumley Research Fellow for the last two years. Each contribution is valuable and puts forward useful suggestions. Clearly these are all matters to which the Establishment Committee and Council will give close attention. While it may be that Council
AUST. N.Z. J. SURG.VOL. 49
-
No. 6, DECEMBER, 1979
is unable to accept each suggeston, for priorities must be decided, and limits imposed while there are limited funds, it is interest and enthusiasm of this sort that make the concept so important. Obviously, the extent to which the Foundation is able to support one or more of the proposals outlined in the previously distributed brochure, or mentioned in the above contributions, will depend upon the support which is given by Fellows. If this is strong, then Council is confident that further support will be attracted from outside sources. An important new dimension will be added to College activities. It should be possible to make very real, valuable and new contributions in almost every area of College involvement. The long-term future of the College will be secure, while its educational and professional standing will be enhanced.
