MSc in Surgical Science and Practice

Balancing clinical practice with the development of research expertise and non-technical skills can be challenging but for Dr Omair A. Shariq, MD, MSc, DPhil, it was an investment that transformed his career. 

Dr Shariq studied medicine at Imperial College London before moving to the US to pursue residency training in general surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and eventually specialised as an endocrine surgeon. He had always harboured an interest in improving clinical care at the intersection of research and practice and continued to look for ways to do so through the development of technical and non-technical skills.  

He first learned about the MSc in Surgical Science and Practice at the University of Oxford through a colleague who spoke highly of its impact.  

'When I joined the course, I hadn’t appreciated how enriching it would be until I was actually in it,' he reflected.  

The MSc programme provided him with an opportunity to hone his research skills and served as a stepping stone toward a DPhil at Oxford University, which he successfully completed before returning to the US. 

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

Dr Shariq shared that one of the biggest takeaways from the MSc programme was learning how to critically appraise research. 'It gave me a leg up when I went back to residency. It also provided excellent talking points in interviews, especially around leadership. The Quality Improvement (QI) module solidified concepts I had heard of but never fully understood.'

He also witnessed firsthand how the MSc programme propelled his peers forward in their careers. 'Many in my cohort applied for the MSc, in part, to get an academic promotion, and I think all of them got it' he shared. 'Personally, when I start my job as an attending (consultant) in the US, I’ll be looking at my notes from this programme.'  

What was a key differentiator about this programme compared with other, similar programmes? 

Having thoroughly considered other UK-based programmes, Dr Shariq ultimately chose Oxford, largely because of the academic environment. 'Being a student at Oxford really sets the experience apart. Attending a high table dinner at college or studying at venues such as the Radcliffe Camera are experiences you can’t get anywhere else. There’s no comparison.'

Beyond the classroom, his classmates took full advantage of all that Oxford had to offer. 'Many of my colleagues got heavily involved in college life. One of them even set up a clinical rotation in a nearby hospital,' he notes.  

'The opportunity to build a strong, professional network with a diverse cohort was one of the most rewarding aspects of the programme. We would regularly share our proposals with faculty for feedback and collaboration, even after the programme ended.' 

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

 'From my perspective, this course is ideal for: 

• Someone relatively new to academia who wants to develop research skills 

• Those who have been tasked with responsibilities outside of their typical remit who want to excel but need practical and strategic guidance.' 

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

'When interviewing for an attending job, I was asked about my experience with education and quality improvement. Thanks to the MSc, I can literally pull from any module to articulate real world examples.' Beyond technical knowledge, the programme also helped him fine-tune his ability to distinguish high-quality research amid the vast amount of research produced in academia.