Dogged persistence drives the development of minimally invasive training
Minimal Access Surgery Training CentrePamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital
In early 90s, when minimally invasive surgery was newly introduced to the medical field, surgeons predominantly adopted conventional open surgery. Dr Michael Li, Founding Director of Minimal Access Surgery Training Centre, had the foresight that minimally invasive surgery (MIS) would be the dominant trend and subsequently established the centre in 1995 with the support from Hospital Authority and the management of the hospital.
Director of the Centre, Dr Tang Chung-ngai recalled when the Centre was first established, the minimal access surgery training was conducted in a small room with very basic equipment. Nevertheless, every training session attracted over dozens of participants, who showed keen interest in this revolutionary trend. Thanks to the support from Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Charity Foundation, the Centre was expanded and installed with EndoLap Operating Room (EndoLap OR) and advanced computer simulation equipment. Its renovation followed in 2017 to facilitate the provision of various surgical trainings with state-of-art devices and video equipment, as well as robotic surgical training. With Simulation Operation Room (Sim OR) in place, cross-disciplinary simulation training is also provided to improve team communication and coordination.
The Centre has been engaging in various local and overseas exchange programmes to promote the development of MIS and nurture young surgeons. With such opportunities, Hong Kong is playing a more pivotal role under the international spotlight. The Centre has so far organised around 450 training courses for over 16,000 participants, among which 70% are local healthcare workers, while the remaining are from overseas medical institutions.
The contribution from predecessors in pioneering MIS has laid important cornerstones for subsequent development. Yet, the challenges arisen in the course of the Centre’s development, including sustainable quality teaching, team coordination, people management and resources allocation, could only be overcome with the team’s unwavering determination. What the team has accomplished by far most strongly testify to the team’s hard work and perseverance over the years.
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