Surgical trainee research, audit, and trials Aotearoa – an introduction into surgical collaborative research for medical students

Abstract

Multicentre studies pose a significant challenge given the time and resources required to collect data across multiple hospitals. Student- and trainee-led collaborative networks provide a vehicle with which to perform multicentre studies quickly and efficiently while empow- ering early career researchers. This article will outline i) what student- and trainee-led collaborative research is, ii) how this model of research has been implemented in Aotearoa New Zealand through the Surgical Trainee Research, Audit, and Trials Aotearoa (STRATA) Collaborative, and iii) how and why medical students interested in surgery should get involved.