Challenging traditional research: A synopsis of the National Research Collaborative Meeting (NRCM) in 2017

INTRODUCTION: The National Research Collaborative Meeting (NRCM) 2017 was jointly hosted between the West Midlands Research Collaborative (WMRC) and Student Audit and Research in Surgery (STARSurg) on 30th November 2017 in Birmingham. The NRCM 2017 theme was ‘Challenging Traditional Research’. METHODS: Narrative review, outlining key challenges and recommendations for trainee collaborative research groups across medical and surgical disciplines based on the core themes from the NRCM 2017 meeting. RESULTS: Core themes of: (1) surgical oncology trials; (2) placebo-controlled surgical trials; (3) research funding; (4) medical student involvement in research; (5) emergency care; (6) patient and public involvement. Recommendations were made for planning future collaborative studies, based on these topic areas. CONCLUSIONS: The collaborative research model has demonstrated longevity and effectiveness in delivering high-quality, practice-changing research both within the NHS and internationally. Learning between groups and highlighting areas for interdisciplinary collaboration will drive a meaningful, patient-centred agenda for the future.