Role of the College in the Funding and Delivery of Surgical Research: Recommendations of an Advisory Group

Surgical research includes basic science and laboratory-based in vitro investigation, translational work to develop in vitro findings into investigations and treatments, and clinically oriented work to evaluate and improve current practice. Academic surgery has undergone a shift in priorities and funding in the UK. A move towards laboratory-based research has led to reductions in translational work and practice evaluation, an issue highlighted by Bell in 2003.