Aditi Siddharth’s MSc Surgical Science and Practice Story

Aditi Siddharth didn't plan to do a PhD and become a researcher when she started the MSc in Surgical Science and Practice.

Aditi Siddharth did not plan to do a DPhil or become a researcher when she started the MSc in Surgical Science and Practice. What began as an interest in improving her clinical practice developed into a career pathway combining clinical work, surgical education, simulation and qualitative research.

Aditi is an obstetrics and gynaecology senior trainee and subspecialty trainee in urogynaecology at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust and University Hospitals of Leicester. She has completed her DPhil at the University of Oxford, where her research focused on technical skills simulation in postgraduate surgical training. She also holds an MSc in Surgical Science and Practice, a PG Cert in Qualitative Health Research Methods and is an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Having completed her DPhil, Aditi has returned to NHS clinical training and is working towards completion of her subspecialty training, with the aim of becoming a consultant in urogynaecology. Her current academic interests include surgical education, simulation, operative training and qualitative research in women’s health.

We asked Aditi to share how her experience on the MSc in Surgical Science and Practice shaped her career trajectory, and what advice she would give to clinicians considering the programme.

How has the programme influenced how you perform as a clinician?

“The programme changed the way I think as a clinician. It gave me the knowledge and confidence to look at clinical problems critically, consider the evidence behind different options, and think more clearly about how an idea could be taken forward.

“There is a helpful balance between depth and breadth in the programme. The knowledge is immediately transferable to clinical work, but it also encourages you to think beyond the day-to-day demands of practice.”

How did the programme help you identify new ideas for improvement in your practice?

“I was interested in going more deeply into the things that mattered to me, particularly clinical education and surgical training. Before the programme, I did not have a structured way of exploring that field or understanding the academic opportunities within it.

“The MSc helped me see the pathway much more clearly. It exposed me to new ideas, gave me the language to describe them, and helped me identify areas of practice that were important but under-researched.”

How did the programme help you translate those ideas into action?

“It is one thing to have an idea. It is another to be able to execute that idea and turn it into something that can improve healthcare in a tangible way.

“The programme helped me understand where to access expertise, how to develop a project, and how to move from interest to action. It also helped me understand my own strengths and balance my quantitative background with qualitative research methods, which has made me a more rounded clinician and researcher.

“Once you identify what you are interested in, the programme gives you the support, mentorship and academic environment to take it further.”

What are two characteristics of a clinician who would benefit most from this programme?

“Clinicians who want to step up their game.

“And clinicians who want to understand the potential within their clinical practice beyond their usual day-to-day work.”

How has the programme served as a stepping stone to your future goals?

“The benefits of the programme were tangible very early on. For example, I was able to teach peers about the theory and practical application of quality improvement, which immediately gave me more visibility within my clinical environment.

“In the longer term, the MSc was a major stepping stone into my DPhil. I met my DPhil supervisor through the programme and developed the academic relationships and confidence that allowed me to move from the MSc directly into doctoral research. The MSc programme also helped me develop an extensive network within surgical sciences at Oxford, and I hope to continue my relationship through postdoctoral studies. It has genuinely helped shape the kind of clinician I have become: someone who combines high-quality clinical practice with research, education and service improvement.”