Prof Tan is joined by Dr. Jordan Tsigarides, an  Academic Clinical Fellow  based at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) and Norwich Medical School. Jordan is the VR lead for the NNUH and is responsible for the development of multiple educational programmes utilising immersive technologies. They discuss the role of augmented and virtual technology in ongoing professional training and the potential of the technology for cost-effective simulation based learning.

Tan and Lucy are joined by Professor Dr April Roslani, Dean of the University of Malaya. Professor April reflects on the her journey of training and the broader challenges of surgical training, both historically and in contemporary circumstances. She reflects on the evolving medical curricula and structure that medical trainees follow. Lucy and April contrast the challenges of surgical training in Malaysia and the UK, with the issue of the time needed to train to a sub-speciality consultant level. They discuss the importance of coaching relationships with seniors and some of the considerations of being a woman in a male dominated field. 

Tan is joined by Dr Paul Barrack from Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. They discuss the challenges of managing complex systems and how keeping the guiding principles of patient safety, high quality of care, staff satisfaction and financial sustainability central. They discuss the central importance of ongoing training and learning from other complex industries . The look at challenges and culture around admitting mistakes and the importance of addressing human factors in order to drive continual improvement. 

For the new series of Through the Keyhole, Prof Tan is joined by Dr Lucy Huppler and Dr Lydia Newton to consider the path of a trainee surgeon and the  challenge of life balance in the early years as a doctor . They discuss their broader interests and the impact that elective-year travel had on their training and perspective. Lucy and Lydia will be supporting series 2 as guest presenters to bring their perspective of surgery at the start of a career. 

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 Fellowship enabled her to study for a PhD at Brighton & Sussex Medical School, using carbon footprinting and life cycle assessment methods to identify carbon hotspots within the operating theatre, and to evaluate alternative products and processes with lower environmental impact. Chantelle seeks to translate her research into practice and to influence policy as a founding member of the RCSEng Sustainability in Surgery working group, and is working with the UK Health and Climate Change Alliance as an academic advisor on a national report on how to meet Net Zero Carbon within surgery

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. Between 2010-2013 she led the Royal College of General Practitioners, the largest of all the of Royal Colleges, and only the second women to hold this Office in its history. She has since been re-elected to the role

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.