Shaping The Future Of Surgery: Insights From The Rai Program At UCT

Introduction Medical students in South Africa have limited access to research and structured mentorship opportunities. The Research, Advocacy and Innovation (RAI) program hosted by the Division of Global Surgery at the University of Cape Town (UCT) seeks to fill this gap by making academic research and mentorship opportunities more accessible to students. Methods The RAI program is open to medical students from all backgrounds and years of study. Through the program, RAI fellows gain access to workshops, conferences and hackathons where they explore surgical challenges and their solutions through the lenses of research, advocacy, and innovation. A key highlight of the program is the opportunity to connect with a community of motivated peers and engage with successful examples of advocacy and innovation within our communities. Results Since its inception in 2020, the RAI program has become a vital platform for medical students with an interest in surgery and research. The current cohort includes 16 medical students across different years of study and 1 bachelor of social sciences student. This program has empowered students with research skills and encouraged them to think critically about emerging healthcare challenges in South Africa. Conclusion By exposing students to research and advocacy opportunities with the support of academic mentors, the RAI program equips students with the skills needed to make meaningful change in their communities. In so doing, it is shaping the future generation of leaders in South African healthcare. This program highlights the need to bridge the gap between undergraduate medical studies and research exposure to produce well-rounded future medical practitioners.