Aotearoa New Zealand General Surgery Trainee Dr Sue Hui Ong advocates on behalf of all surgical Trainees through her new role as RACS Trainees’ Association (RACSTA) chair.

The final year Trainee at Wellington Hospital, Te Whanganui-a-Tara aims to improve the Trainee experience and foster a more diverse and inclusive profession.

“Trainees are members of RACSTA as soon as they start their surgical training and represented by both state-based as well as specialty-based dedicated representatives.

“The goal behind the establishment of RACSTA was to provide Trainee-specific guidance and feedback on all facets of RACS activities and provide a voice for concerns and improvements as we navigate surgical training.

“One of the benefits of having the Trainees’ Association is we can discuss the issues we face between the different specialities, how different training committees and boards approach these issues, and also find solutions or advocacy points between the common challenges.”

A particular aspect of the Trainee experience that Dr Ong and RACSTA are tackling is the support provided before the Fellowship examination, and after an exam attempt has been unsuccessful.

“One of our advocacy projects, which started last year is improving the Fellowship examination experience. We are working with RACS to ensure more streamlined support for Trainees leading up to the exam and afterwards.”

Some ideas for improving the process include increasing availability of resources such as marking rubrics and examination papers, offering performance coaching to help Trainees prepare for exams, and streamlining the pathway for those who are unsuccessful.

Dr Ong likens the situation to athletes preparing for an event, and says similar support is needed to provide Trainees with the best chance of success.

“Prevention is better than cure, right? But if you are unsuccessful with the Fellowship examination, the level of support after is incredibly grey, with each specialty having a different approach—from ad hoc support to one specialty providing one-on-one mentorship with a previous examiner.

“This clearly has room for improvement, given the enormous impact this has on a Trainee.”

Next year will be the first time the Fellowship examination’s written and viva components are decoupled; this was achieved by successful advocacy from previous RACSTA committees.

Dr Ong would also like to see Trainees receive greater support and consideration when they transfer between states or countries.

“We know from our Trainee survey that leave portability and entitlements, and constantly moving locations are an issue year after year. This impacts significantly on their wellbeing and their families.

“One of the strengths of our surgical apprenticeship model is that as Trainees we get to learn from different surgeons and work with really amazing people. But it is incredibly challenging to do simple things like finding a GP, daycare, or even access midwifery care with movement every year.”

The role of RACSTA chair continues Dr Ong’s dedication to advocacy that began as a high school student in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington and continued through university, where she was involved with the Medical Students’ Association.

Later she became the Aotearoa New Zealand representative for General Surgical Trainees.

“I have always been interested in getting involved and I think it’s important to be able to share your experience and the experience of your colleagues and try to make things better.”

Dr Ong was born and grew up in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington and had an ambition to become a doctor ever since she can remember.

Surgeons she met during her formative years were the motivation for her to pursue General Surgery as a specialty, alongside the practicality, pace and variety.

“I met some fantastic registrars and consultants who inspired interest due to their love of surgery. I think this is something we forget as we go about our work. How we carry ourselves and treat medical students does have flow on effects and highlights the importance of good role modelling as well as the real need for diversity in our surgical work force.”

As RACSTA chair, Dr Ong is encouraged by the diversity of the RACSTA committee but is aware that there is still room for improvement especially in the realms beyond being a Trainee.

“More than 50 per cent of our committee identify as female, and we have a range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Eight of our committee members are from Aotearoa New Zealand, which is great. However, there is always still room for improvement for representation.”

Dr Ong encourages Trainees to get involved at state or specialty level and looks forward to ongoing advocacy challenges and Trainee representation for the remainder of 2024.