In this episode, returning guest Neil Smart discusses some of the challenges and considerations surrounding laparoscopic hernia repair. They look at the holistic approaches, patient outcomes and some of the controversies concerning the use of surgical mesh. 

Tan is joined by Dr Chantelle Rizan from the centre of sustainable healthcare for this episode where they look at the breadth of issues when considering the environmental impact of surgery and healthcare. They look at practical steps and discuss the importance of leadership at all levels in order to increase sustainability.    Chantelle Rizan is a Surgical Research Fellow at the Royal College of Surgeons of England and Sustainable Surgery Fellow at the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare. The...

In this episode, Tan and Clare discuss some of the difficult issues around mental health among medical professionals, and how to navigate turbulent times in a medical career. Dr Clare Gerada has been a medical practitioner since 1982. Having first trained in psychiatry she became a GP in 1992, and has worked in the same practice ever since. She has been heading up a groundbreaking service for sick doctors (practitioner-patients) since 2008 which has rapidly become an international leader....

In this episode, Tan talks with Peter Sedman about the highs and lows of a surgical career and some of the lessons they have both learned. Within the conversation,  life hacks are discussed and Peter shares his tips for trainees starting out on a career in surgery.

Neil joins Tan to discuss the challenges and opportunities around publishing research in an era of Covid and digital acceleration. Neil is a Consultant Colorectal Surgeon at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital and Honorary Associate Professor at University of Exeter Medical School. Neil is also Editor in Chief of the Colorectal Disease Journal.

Tan discusses the development and impact of robotic-assisted surgery with Mr Chelliah Selvasekar, Consultant Colorectal and Laparoscopic Surgeon at The Christie Hospital and council member of ALSGBI. They explore some of the issues of data governance and training and suggest possible ways that current barriers may be overcome.

Mr Ian Beckingham joins Tan for a discussion on laparoscopic cholecystectomy and how to cope with the challenges of error. Ian is a consultant surgeon at Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham 

Dr. Tamsin Morrison joins Tan to discuss how diversity and inclusivity are core attributes of successful teams and how embracing a breadth of experiences improves health outcomes. They narrow the broad societal debates on diversity down to its impact within surgical teams and reflect on the value of cognitive diversity. 

Professor Tan and Hamish explore some of the challenges and opportunities that have arisen in education in as a result of the pandemic year. They explore how digital tools can be applied to surgical training to boost the experience of trainees. They discuss the modes of learning that can be ported between the educational and medical sectors. Dr Tamsin Morrison joins the conversation to reflect a surgical trainee's perspective on training in the lockdown year.

In this episode, Tan talks with Suviraj John, Senior Consultant Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgeon at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi. They discuss training programmes  in the UK and India, and the common challenges of training for risk management, leadership and communication skills. They consider the value of experience and how hard-won knowledge can be passed on effective. They look at the traits of successful surgical teams and what can be learned from non-medical sectors. 

Don Menzies and Tan discuss the growth of laparoscopic surgery techniques from the mid-90s and the extent to which radical approaches from 25 years ago are now common place across the world. They touch on the development of APLS as an organisation and discuss the challenges of aerosolisation in Covid19 theatre landscapes.

Podcast Series from the Association of Laparoscopic Surgeons introduced by Dr Tan Arulampalan