Doctor of Clinical Surgery

Program Overview

The Doctor of Clinical Surgery is a 3-year full-time program that combines clinical and non-clinical coursework with research. It aims to produce surgical leaders with the skills and knowledge to meet the challenges of surgical specialist practice. The program is offered through an interactive online learning environment, allowing students to tailor their study schedule to their lifestyle. Graduates are eligible to pursue specialist surgical training and careers in various surgical specialties.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Overview: The Doctor of Clinical Surgery is a 3-year full-time program (available part-time) that combines clinical and non-clinical coursework with research.
• Objectives: The program aims to produce surgical leaders with the skills and attitudes needed to meet the challenges of surgical specialist practice.
• Program Description: The Doctor of Clinical Surgery is designed to be undertaken in conjunction with the surgical training program of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons to augment research, leadership and communication skills.

Outline:

• Course Content: The coursework includes all aspects of surgical practice, with a focus on communication, behavioral, ethical, attitudinal, health economic, and medicolegal aspects of surgical practice, as well as operative, psychomotor, and cognitive aspects.
• Structure: The doctorate comprises 18 core units of study and six electives chosen from a list of core and elective units of study for the doctorate.
• Course Schedule: The Doctor of Clinical Surgery requires the successful completion of 144 credit points of units of study, including:
• 66 credit points – for FRACS (credit for good standing) or to enrol in units, be eligible to undertake surgical training in New South Wales and be appointed to a SET 3 or higher position.
• 6 credit points – Capstone.
• 36 credit points – Thesis.
• 36 credit points – Elective units of study.
• Modules:
• Clinical Surgery:
Each coursework subject (Clinical Surgery 1-11) combines clinical service work with close supervision by a nominated training supervisor. The coursework also includes detailed surgical anatomy and pathology of the relevant region. Each subject is assessed by a combination of assessment, including satisfactory participation in the care of a number of patients, a competence-based assessment of operative skills, and an in-depth review of one patient, including a critical review of the literature.
• Non-Elective Units: These units allow candidates to pursue educational interests outside of surgery that will complement their study of clinical surgery.
• Clinical Surgery Capstone: Assessment in this subject includes satisfactory presentation at a Viva Voce in which the candidate is expected to discuss and justify their clinical management of a number of randomly chosen cases from their logbook.
• Research: Students must demonstrate evidence of research through a continuous research project on a topic approved by the University Training Supervisor.
This research can be undertaken in any of the multidisciplinary units of the Sydney Medical School or in other Faculties as approved by the Course coordinator. The general pattern for 36 credit points of research units is as follows:
• SURG6001 – (Surgical Research 1) Abstract
• SURG6002 – (Surgical Research 2) Narrative Review/Aims
• SURG6003 – (Surgical Research 3) Methods (Data Collation)
• SURG6004 – (Surgical Research 4) Results
• SURG6005 – (Surgical Research 5) Discussion/Future Directions
• SURG6006 – (Surgical Research 6) Bibliography

Assessment:

• Assessment Methods: The assessment of operative and psychomotor skills is competence-based.
Each subject is assessed by a combination of assessments including satisfactory participation in the care of a number of patients, a competence-based assessment of operative skills, and an in-depth review of one patient, including a critical review of the literature. The Capstone subject is assessed by a Viva Voce presentation where candidates discuss and justify their clinical management of randomly chosen cases.
• Assessment Criteria: Candidates must demonstrate competence in operative and psychomotor skills.
They must also be able to discuss and justify their clinical management of patients, as well as demonstrate critical review of the literature.

Teaching:

• Teaching Methods: The course includes a combination of face-to-face and online learning.
• Faculty: You will learn from highly regarded clinicians and academics at the Sydney Medical School.
• Unique Approaches: The course is delivered through an interactive online learning environment, allowing students to tailor their study schedule to their lifestyle.

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths: The Doctor of Clinical Surgery prepares students to become surgeons.
It may also prepare students for specialist recognition and may open doors to academic opportunities.
• Opportunities: Upon completion of the Doctor of Clinical Surgery, graduates will be eligible to pursue specialist surgical training and careers in various surgical specialties, including:
• Cardiothoracic surgery
• General surgery
• Upper GI surgery
• Colorectal surgery
• Surgical oncology
• Breast endocrine surgery
• Neurosurgery
• Otolaryngology head & neck surgery
• Orthopaedic surgery
• Paediatric surgery
• Plastic & reconstructive surgery
• Outcomes: Graduates will have the skills and knowledge to practice as surgeons, with the potential for specialist recognition and academic careers.

Other:

• The program is offered through the interactive online learning environment, giving students the flexibility to tailor their study schedule around their lifestyle.
• The program is designed to enhance understanding of evidence-based medicine and improve clinical decision-making.
• Students can pursue research in their chosen subspecialty area.
• The course is ranked 1st in Australia for surgery (US News Best Global Universities by Subject 2023) and 2nd in Australia and 25th globally for medicine (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023).
• The University of Sydney is a top 20 university globally (QS World University Rankings 2024).