MSc in Surgical Science and Practice

Kashif Majeed, MD, a neurosurgery fellow, joined the distinguished MSc in Surgical Science and Practice (MSSP) Programme at Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences in 2022. His dissertation, titled “Deep Brain Biomarkers of Depression,” was supervised by Professor Alex Green, FRCS (SN), MD, and BSc.  

A graduate of Aga Khan University, a premier medical school in Pakistan, he has completed three rigorous clinical neurosurgery fellowships: two at the University of New Mexico and SBH Health System, and one focused heavily on research at the Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Centre. Shortly after passing the US medical licensing exams (USMLEs), he began his mentorship under Professor Philip Stieg, PhD, MD, and Jeffrey Greenfield, MD, PhD, at Cornell. He is grateful to his mentors who helped him publish several high-impact neurosurgery papers and a book chapter in Youmans and Winn’s Neurological Surgery.   

Although he conducted research throughout his medical career, he aimed to deepen his neurosurgical knowledge beyond surgical skills by engaging in clinical investigation at these institutions. Along with his clear career objectives, he is passionate about providing comprehensive patient care by integrating technological advancements, including artificial intelligence and systems approaches, while focusing on innovations such as device and pathway development that enhance the quality of patient care, reduce errors, and nurture well-rounded future doctors and educators. These goals led him to this unique MSSP at Oxford. As a neurosurgical fellow in the NHS, he reflects on how 'the interdisciplinary nature of this programme helped him advance his academic-clinical career.' 

Before joining, he researched other similar master’s programmes. However, they focused solely on providing basic surgical skills. He chose this MSc because it offered a more holistic and forward-thinking approach. 'I wanted something that looked outward, not just at my technical space. The diversity of modules, strong faculty relationships, and cross-talk between industry, academia, clinical practice, and technology set this programme apart. Additionally, the faculty were always accessible and genuinely invested in our growth and success.' Looking back, he feels, 'Learning becomes truly enjoyable when you find yourself in a conducive environment.' 'The modules felt less like tedious tasks and more like refreshing breaks, from my intense work routine, that I always looked forward to.' 

'Additionally, every module proved immensely helpful and provided unique learning perspectives,' Dr Majeed shares. 'Exposure to those ideas was crucial in shaping my understanding of medicine as a field and assisted me in keeping pace with the evolving thought process including technologies that are influencing the future of healthcare teaching and delivery.' Specifically, the Health Information and Technology (HIT) module allowed him to draw on innovations from other medical specialties, such as general surgery, and think of ways to apply them to his area of focus. 

The modules, grounded in systems thinking, laid a foundation for translating ideas into practice. 'It wasn’t just about generating great ideas—it was about understanding how to implement them effectively in complex systems.' For instance, Dr Majeed considered applying quality improvement principles to enhance operating room efficiency while recognising the contextual differences between academic and community hospitals. 'In some hospitals, I noticed that the turnover of operating rooms was extremely efficient, while in others, there were several process delays that, if addressed, could save immense time and resources.' The programme helped me customise recommendations to the local context to make them actionable. 'Systems shape our work, yet many of us remain unaware of them. A systems approach encouraged me to think about ways to make real improvements and challenged our tendency to blame individuals for system-related problems.'  

The MSc had a lasting impact on Dr Majeed’s career and approach to clinical practice. 'While people consider me a more serious student of science, the principles I acquired during my graduate degree will continue to influence my approach to healthcare for the foreseeable future.' During my dissertation, faculty members were extremely supportive, providing constant feedback, which demonstrated their investment in our success. Furthermore, this program helped us view our previously published data in a new light. We changed clinical practice by incorporating our clinical aneurysm data and comparing it with international literature. We became better patient advocates, recommending early intervention to prevent ruptures and more severe neurological sequelae.  

For healthcare professionals considering this MSc, Dr Majeed recommends evaluating their career goals first: 'I researched programs across Europe and North America, but none matched the breadth and depth of this one.' For those seeking to make a significant impact on their practice beyond technical skills, Oxford’s master’s programme offers an unparalleled opportunity to develop healthcare leaders who employ systems thinking and innovative tools to become exceptional future clinical educators and patient advocates, thereby enhancing their clinical care.