Where did you complete your fellowship and duration?
I am currently completing a clinical fellowship as a surgical fellow at Frimley Health NHS, Foundation Trust in Surrey, UK from July 2024 to June 2025.
At what time in your career?
I am in my 6th year of surgical training.
How was the fellowship funded?
I was employed and paid by the NHS GB. Further, I applied for support for Swiss fellows abroad which was kindly granted.
How did you secure this fellowship?
The fellowship was brought to my attention by the Chief of Service at the University Hospital Basel. A long-standing cooperation between the University Hospital Basel and Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust allowed me to apply for the program.
What are you learning through this fellowship?
The primary aim of this fellowship is to improve my surgical skills. Frimley Park is a busy hospital renowned for colorectal surgery within the General Surgery department. Apart from the hands-on training, I am learning diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for diseases that are different to the Swiss standard. Further, I have experienced new aspects and approaches to how surgery is taught in another country. Last but not least, interacting with healthcare professionals from different backgrounds and countries who, just like me, came to the UK to work in the NHS may be challenging at times but at least as enriching.
What motivated you to pursue a fellowship?
After my first year of training in Switzerland I was considering working abroad for a while. More experienced colleagues encouraged me, but they advised me to do so at a later stage. In the UK, the case load is generally higher, leading to increased exposure and hands-on training. Another slightly apprehensively anticipated benefit was to experience work in a different health care system with comparable standards of care known to be under severe economic pressures and to see how patient care is upheld.
Future Plans?
While I greatly enjoyed my time in the UK and benefited from the fellowship, I am now looking forward to coming back to Switzerland where I will be working at Clarunis, University Hospital Basel. My next goal is to be board-certified and pursue my specialty training.
Would You Recommend it?
I fully recommend doing a fellowship abroad under the pretext of finding a suitable one at the right time in your life and career. It’s a very exciting and rewarding experience.
