Published: 23 April 2024
The last few months have seen no shortage of our very own students shining on a regional and national stage. Fourth-year medical student Krishen Mistry, as well as winning the regional iteration of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh’s (RCSEd) Surgical Skills competition, went to the national Grand Final in Edinburgh.
Just a few months before, Krishen was also named one of the runners-up at the General Medical Council’s (GMC) Professionalism competition alongside fellow St George’s student Cody Mayer.
We caught up with Krishen and Cody to hear about a whirlwind few months, what the competitions were like, and any advice for budding competitors.
What is the RCSEd Surgical Skills competition?
Krishen: The RCSEd & Medtronic National Student Surgical Skills Competition provides medical students from across the UK with a unique opportunity to enhance their surgical skills by competing against their peers. This collaboration between the College and Medtronic includes challenges that are designed to rigorously test your surgical abilities. The competition begins with an online quiz, following which the top-scoring students from each medical school receive a skills box.
To win the regional final and represent our medical school, participants must adeptly demonstrate a range of surgical suturing techniques on a banana and synthetic bowel material supplied by Organlike. These performances are evaluated by the College, and the highest-scoring students are chosen to represent their universities at the Grand Final in Edinburgh.
How did you find out about it and how did you enter?
Krishen: I found out about the competition through an email from our university and an announcement on our university's Canvas page, both of which frequently highlight opportunities for medical students to enhance their skills and participate in extracurricular activities. Intrigued by the challenge and the opportunity to sharpen my surgical skills, I entered the competition by submitting an application through the official RCSEd website.
How did the national final compare to the regional final?
Krishen: The regional final was more relaxed and provided ample time to practice at home, focusing primarily on suturing techniques. In contrast, the Grand Final was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We were flown to Edinburgh by the College and accommodated at their Ten Hill Place Hotel.
The night before the competition, an extravagant dinner was hosted where we had the chance to network with other medical students who were regional winners from their universities and shared an interest in surgery and surgical skills—this was a massive highlight for me.
- Krishen Mistry, Fourth-year medical student -
The Grand Final began early the next day, with participants divided into two groups. The setup was reminiscent of an OSCE, creating a challenging yet supportive environment. Although the atmosphere was intense, the College members were extremely friendly, offering a unique opportunity to develop surgical skills with advice from esteemed surgeons and access to state-of-the-art resources, including a fully synthetic human torso. We faced multiple stations, each testing a different surgical area. Fortunately, having recently attended a surgical skills conference organized by our very own St George's Surgical Society was immensely beneficial.
Additionally, we had the opportunity to explore the Surgeons' Hall Museum, which added an enriching cultural dimension to the experience.
The final was not only about testing our skills but also about fostering connections and broadening our understanding of the surgical field.
- Krishen Mistry, Fourth-year medical student -
What reflections do you have on your experiences in the competition as a whole?
Reflecting on my experiences in the competition, I found it was immensely valuable for both my personal and professional growth. The challenges not only honed my surgical skills but also underscored the importance of maintaining composure and precision under pressure.
- Krishen Mistry, Fourth-year medical student -
Competing against peers from various backgrounds offered a fresh perspective on the wide array of approaches within the surgical field, enriching my understanding and appreciation of diverse methodologies and techniques. This experience has been fundamental in shaping my approach to both learning and practicing surgery.
What is the GMC Professionalism Competition and what did it involve?
Krishen: The GMC Professionalism Competition is an initiative by the General Medical Council designed to promote high standards of medical ethics and professionalism among students. Participants are tasked with creating an educational resource that highlights a key aspect of medical professionalism, for this year it was to apply what the GMC's guidance stated about 'acting with the limits of one's competence'. For our entry, we developed a video showcasing the journey of a medical student transitioning into clinical placements. This video emphasised crucial themes such as self-awareness, patient safety, and the importance of seeking guidance in challenging situations.
We introduced an innovative character named 'Guidance Guy', who embodies the principles of the GMC's guidelines. 'Guidance Guy' acts as a mentor throughout the video, helping the student navigate various dilemmas and decisions. This character was particularly well-received; the judges praised us for our creativity in using a relatable and engaging figure to illustrate complex professional standards.
This positive feedback underscored the effectiveness of our approach in educating peers about navigating the complexities of medical practice with integrity and responsibility.
- Krishen Mistry, Fourth-year medical student -
Our entry was shared widely by the GMC on their platforms including YouTube and Instagram so feel free to watch it!
Cody: The competition was focused on providing a creative and engaging way to highlight the key principles outlined by the GMC guidelines relative to professionalism. We drafted a story boarded and animated clinical scenarios medical students may be faced with and how best to navigate them. The focus was to ensure medical students preserved their own safety as well as the patients safety by working strictly within their competencies according to GMC guidelines.
What words of advice would you have for any students thinking of entering either competition?
My advice to students considering these competitions is to embrace the opportunity wholeheartedly. These competitions are not just about winning but about learning and growing as a medical professional.
- Krishen Mistry, Fourth-year medical student -
Krishen: Prepare thoroughly, seek feedback from mentors, and most importantly, reflect on what these experiences teach you about yourself and your approach to medicine. Whether it's enhancing your surgical skills or understanding medical ethics more deeply, what you learn will be invaluable throughout your career.
My advice would be to find a group of like-minded people and create a small mastermind group in which they can bounce ideas of each other to create a systematic approach to tackle the key requirements for the project/competition they are entering in.
- Cody Mayer, Fourth-year medical student -