Specialty Updates
The Specialty Updates service is currently on hiatus due to the loss of specialist staff. We apologise for any inconvenience caused, and would like to reassure members and fellows that we are working hard to re-establish the service as soon as possible. Other library services, such as the literature search support service, are still available as normal to RCS England members and fellows.
The Specialty Updates are concise email summaries of the latest evidence in a particular surgical field, designed to support surgeons in their use of evidence, guidelines and new technology in their practice. A highly-rated membership benefit, Updates are sent to fellows and members every two months.
Content is chosen by Information Specialists with panels of Specialist Advisors providing clinical oversight. Updates are broken into sub-specialty areas making it quick and easy to find the relevant content for you. Articles are summarised to highlight the main points helping you to decide what to read in full. Links to full text are provided wherever possible.
Updates are available for the following specialties:
• Cardiothoracic Surgery;
• Colorectal Surgery;
• Emergency General Surgery;
• Neurosurgery;
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery;
• Otolaryngology;
• Paediatric Surgery;
• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery;
• Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery;
• Urology;
• Vascular Surgery.
Click here for an example: Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery Update September 2020
All past Updates are archived and available to browse through the Heritage Collections catalogue. Updates will continue to be added to the archive after a six month embargo.
Receiving the Updates
Make sure you receive the correct Updates by updating your account preferences on the RCS website:
1. Sign in to the RCS website and click on your name on the top right.
2. In the menu under My Account, click Account Preferences.
3. Under Surgical Specialties, click 'select options' and highlight the relevant specialties for you.
4. Under Publications highlight Specialty Updates.
5. Click 'Update email preferences'.
If you have updated your preferences but are not receiving Updates please contact us.
If you are not yet a member of the RCS, join us today to develop your knowledge and skills and get the support you need for your career.
Making the most of the Updates
While Updates can be used simply as an easy way to keep abreast of the latest research, guidance and policy, you can also use them to highlight areas for research and teaching, and to help select reading for journal clubs.
You can also consider getting more involved and volunteering as a Specialist Advisor. Advisors from all career grades are welcome to apply, we aim to ensure that the panels represent members at all levels, and that we include relevant content for everyone.
Information on the role can be found within the role description. Interested fellows and members of the College are encouraged to apply for the role. Each Specialist Advisor is awarded an annual certificate acknowledging their participation, that can be included in their annual appraisal documentation.
If you would like to apply to be a Specialist Advisor, please complete and return an expression of interest form to updates@rcseng.ac.uk. Please note that this form is an editable pdf and must be saved onto your own (local) device before you edit.
“I have enjoyed serving on the team till now. It has been a valuable learning experience and I have been drawing my trainees' attention to the Updates for their academic growth” – current Specialist Advisor to the Urology Update.
"It has been an invaluable learning experience from my perspective" - current Specialist Advisor to the Colorectal Update.
Submit your own research to the Updates
Get involved - use the form below to highlight your work to your colleagues or to share research that has changed your practice.
Contact
If you would like further information about the Specialty Updates, please contact updates@rcseng.ac.uk, or telephone 020 7869 6555.