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the acute ward setting, formally launched by the Health Minister in 2008. As part of that funding, UCAN provided funds for the appointment of three UCAN cancer specialist nurses. The UCAN centre has since received a number of awards in recognition of the quality of cancer care services including the MacMillan Quality Environment Mark Award Cancer Centre. The second UCAN fundraising campaign funded the first surgical robotic in Scotland. The success of the first Scottish robotic programme by Aberdeen’s robotic surgeons led to 2 more robots being implemented in Glasgow and Edinburgh. The third UCAN fundraising campaign saw UCAN combining forces with the NHS to secured additional robotic systems and funding for up to 3 additional UCAN cancer specialist nurses. On behalf of all at UCAN, I accepted the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand (USANZ) Christchurch Medal for Community Service 2019 Recipient Award in Australia during the annual USANZ congress.
A big part of your academic career has revolved around methods and evidence-based medicine. The number of systematic reviews and meta-analyses available to clinicians nowadays has never been higher. However, quantity does not necessarily mean quality, and it remains unclear whether all these publications have led to better patient care and easier clinical practice. What are your thoughts?
It is true that there has been an explosion of systematic reviews and meta-analysis in recent years and indeed the quality has been variable from excellent to poor. That however applies to all types of research. There are many examples where systematic reviews have contributed to change in clinical practice for the better but we must also remember that the impact of a systematic review is dependent on methodological quality as well as availability of good enough primary studies. Systematic reviews should also be based on important clinical questions and unfortunately this is not always the case. Sadly, some researchers use systematic reviews as a way of increasing their publications rather than focussing on important clinical questions. This is disappointing. When
used for the right reasons and when done well, systematic reviews are a powerful way of synthesising evidence to inform practice, policy and future research whilst at the same time limiting bias using systematic methods.
What advice would you give to a young doctor considering a career in Urology?
I would say that urology is an amazing specialty. In deciding to commit to a career in Urology, they will committing to becoming a more complete (well rounded) urological surgeon. They will better embody the purpose of the specialty which is the improvement of patient care at the forefront of everything they do. Throughout their development, they will be educated, trained, and mentored to become more knowledgeable, more skilled, and be better equipped conscious leaders who demonstrate the following:
• They will lead with love and compassion.
• They will always act with integrity (honesty, authenticity, courage, trustworthiness, and open to other’s views).
• They will understand and value the benefits of meaningful patient engagement.
• They will always aim for win-win collaborations and partnerships.
• They will innovate & create value.
• They will think long-term always linked
to PURPOSE.
• They will make decisions anchored in DATA and their practices will be evidence based.
• They will believe in and support constant evolution of their team/s to grow.
• They will believe in inclusivity and diversity.
• They will be humble, good listeners, and always act with respect towards others (irrespective of rank) even when they disagree on issues.
• They will invest in and commit to lifelong learning.
Tεύχος 16 | Μάρτιος - Απρίλιος 2022
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