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Reshaping the critical role of surgeons in oncology research

Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology volume 16, pages 327–332 (2019)Cite this article

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Abstract

Surgery remains a mainstay in the treatment of most solid cancers. Surgeons have always engaged in various forms of high-quality cancer research to optimize outcomes for their patients, for example, contributing to clinical research and outcomes research as well as health education and public health policy. Over the past decade, however, concerns have been raised about a global decline in the number of surgeons performing basic science research alongside clinical activity — so-called surgeon scientists. Herein, we describe some of the unique obstacles faced by contemporary trainee and practising surgeons engaged in research, as well as providing a perspective on the implications of the diminishing prominence of the surgeon scientist. Finally, we offer some thoughts on potential strategies and future directions for surgical engagement in oncology research to increase the number of research-active surgeons.

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Fig. 1: Potential roles of surgeons in oncology research.

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Acknowledgements

Reviewer information

Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology thanks P. Dasgupta, R. Harries, M. LaQuaglia and D. Blazer for their contribution to the peer review of this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Cancer Studies, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK

    Robert. P. Jones

  2. North Western Hepatobiliary Unit, Aintree University Hospital, Liverpool, UK

    Robert. P. Jones & Graeme J. Poston

  3. Division of Surgical Oncology, Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA

    Chandrakanth Are

  4. Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Thomas J. Hugh

  5. Department of Surgical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, Netherlands

    Dirk J. Grünhagen

  6. Department of Surgery, Shanghai Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai, China

    Jianmin Xu

  7. Department of Surgical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA

    Charles M. Balch

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Correspondence to Robert. P. Jones.

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Jones, R.P., Are, C., Hugh, T.J. et al. Reshaping the critical role of surgeons in oncology research. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 16, 327–332 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41571-018-0149-1

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