One of the defining features of the global surgery movement is the energy coming from resident doctors and early-career clinicians. Across the world, resident doctors and early-career professionals are increasingly asking the same question: How can we contribute to global surgery now, rather than waiting until the end of our training?
This question sits at the heart of the Global Anaesthesia, Surgery and Obstetric Collaboration (GASOC).
GASOC was founded following the launch of the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery in 2015, when resident doctors attending discussions about the global burden of surgical disease recognised that meaningful action was needed— this was alongside the realisation that early-career professionals needed a platform to participate. Rather than waiting until the end of their training, they wanted to contribute through advocacy, collaboration, research, and global engagement during their training years. GASOC was established out of this desire to be a platform to engage resident doctors and early career professionals ethically and sustainably in global surgery. Since its inception, GASOC has grown into a community of resident doctors and SAS (Specialty and Associate Specialist) doctors interested in advancing global surgery while still navigating the realities of clinical commitments.
The Challenge: Interest Is High, Opportunities Are Harder to Access
Within the GASOC community, interest in global surgery is not the limiting factor. Many members actively seek opportunities to engage in international work, research collaborations, advocacy initiatives, and training exchanges. However, two barriers consistently emerge: time and funding. For many trainees—particularly in the UK—international work can be difficult to incorporate into formal training programmes. While some deaneries may support overseas placements, these opportunities remain relatively rare. As a result, many clinicians participate in global surgery through personal initiative, often taking time out of training, using annual leave, and funding travel themselves. This challenge is even more pronounced for clinicians working in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where financial constraints can make international travel and conference participation extremely difficult. Despite these obstacles, the appetite for collaboration remains strong
What Global Surgery Trainees Are Looking For
A recent GASOC member survey highlights several clear priorities across the network. For members based in LMICS and HICs, two needs stand out:
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Scholarship and travel opportunities
Bidirectional learning and exchange via collaborative work is sought after. Travel grants can make a transformative difference in allowing face-to-face meetings and collaborations. One recent example involved a GASOC-supported anaesthesia travel grant, delivered in partnership with the Association of Anaesthetists, which enabled a clinician from Kenya to attend the GASOC 10th year anniversary conference in Glasgow, UK. Beyond conference participation, these opportunities allow colleagues from different healthcare systems to share experiences, teaching approaches, and practical solutions to common challenges. GASOC President, Dr Vijna Boodhoo says; “Last year we had an anaesthesia travel grant that was funded in partnership with the Association of Anaesthetists. We funded an anaesthetist from Kenya to fly all the way to our GASOC conference in Glasgow which was fantastic. That’s the sort of thing we want to do more of because that’s one thing that our members do want. We’re a bit limited in how many of these scholarships we can give as GASOC because we’re a trainee-led institution and a not for profit organisation so we [GASOC] don’t really get big income sources. We’re always on the lookout for opportunities to make that happen because I think that’s something that is really valuable for our community. And for us [UK trainees], it’s insightful to hear and meet our colleagues from overseas to see what the work they’re doing and have that sort of exchange. It was fantastic at the conference last year because we were able to talk about differences in teaching, differences in working, training- it was a great exchange.”
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Research training and collaboration
Many members are keen to develop research skills and participate in global surgery research projects. In response, GASOC is currently developing a research training course aimed at equipping members with the skills needed to participate in collaborative research initiatives in global surgery. This is where platforms like InterSurgeon can play a crucial role. GASOC president, Dr Vijna Boodhoo says; “We also have a GASOC travel grant that has funded UK-based trainees to go to LMIC countries for volunteering and work. And we’ve had some very successful projects that have been run by these resident doctors. We get lots of emails about these grants usually which shows our community is looking for opportunities to contribute and find financial resources to help with that. How to get involved is always a big question.”
Why Global Collaboration Platforms Matter
InterSurgeon connects clinicians, researchers, and organisations involved in global surgery across more than 120 countries. The platform allows members to:
- Find collaborators for research or education projects
- Identify institutions working in similar areas
- Recruit research sites
- Offer or request collaboration
- Connect with partners interested in global health initiatives
For busy clinicians and trainees, having a structured platform to identify collaborators can make a significant difference. Instead of relying solely on personal networks or conference encounters, members can search for partners based on specialty, location, interests, and experience. Users can also post offers and requests, allowing the platform to match individuals or institutions with potential collaborators. In practical terms, this means someone looking to launch a research project, recruit sites, or develop a training programme can quickly identify partners across the global surgery community.
A Shared Goal: Making Global Surgery More Accessible
Both GASOC and InterSurgeon are shaped by feedback from their members. Surveys and community discussions play an important role in guiding how these organisations evolve and what services they prioritise.
The GASOC membership survey is currently live. Please feel in the form to help shape what GASOC delivers for you and click here.
The goal is not simply growth in numbers but ensuring that platforms remain useful and relevant for the clinicians they serve. This is particularly important for global surgery trainees and early-career professionals. Many are highly motivated to engage but face structural barriers within training systems. Creating accessible networks, visible opportunities, and collaborative spaces helps bridge that gap and ultimately, strengthening connections within the global surgery community benefits everyone. It allows trainees to learn from colleagues working in very different contexts. It enables clinicians in LMICs to access research partnerships and training opportunities. And it helps researchers and organisations find collaborators who share a commitment to improving surgical access worldwide.
Building the Next Generation of Global Surgery Collaboration
The global surgery movement continues to grow, driven by clinicians who believe that access to safe surgical care should not depend on geography. Organisations like GASOC demonstrate the power of trainee and early career professional engagement, while platforms like InterSurgeon help translate that enthusiasm into practical collaboration.
The next step is simple: connecting the people who want to work together. For global surgery professionals looking to collaborate, launch projects, or find partners across borders, building those connections may be the most important step of all.
To view GASOC profile, click here.
