Shaping tomorrow’s colorectal surgeons: A Delphi consensus study

Colorectal surgery is evolving rapidly, driven by new technologies, techniques, and training structures. However, there is no national consensus on what the training priorities should be for the next decade.

This event is your unique opportunity to influence the future of colorectal surgical education in the UK by contributing directly to a national study aimed at defining these priorities. This meeting will develop a shared understanding of current and future training requirements in surgical education and empower participants to collaboratively define the key components of a modern, competency-based surgical curriculum.

By bringing together trainees, early-career consultants, educators, and curriculum developers, we will: 

• Identify training gaps and ensure alignment with evolving clinical needs
• Define national training standards and competencies for future colorectal surgeons
• Provide a structured framework to guide both national and institutional curriculum development

With post-pandemic workforce challenges, evolving patient needs, and the rise of robotics and AI, now is the time to rethink colorectal surgical training. The decisions made today will shape the readiness and adaptability of surgeons in 2035 and beyond.

This event is part of a larger research initiative using surveys, focus groups, Delphi methodology, and national consensus-building to establish training strategies. Your insights will be critical in ensuring these strategies are relevant, equitable, and future-proof.

By attending this meeting, you will: 

• Identify and evaluate current gaps and challenges in UK colorectal surgical training from both trainee and consultant perspectives.
• Reflect on your own training experiences and propose evidence-based solutions to improve training pathways.
• Develop skills in collaborative priority setting, contributing to surgical education research and policy development.

Join us to define the future of colorectal surgical education and ensure that training evolves to meet the challenges of tomorrow.