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Contact Details

Phone
64 3 474 0999 ext 58830
Email
mark.thompsonfawcett@otago.ac.nz

University Links

Position
Associate Professor
Department
Department of Surgical Sciences (Dunedin)
Qualifications
MB ChB(Auck) MD FRACS
Research summary
Ileal pouch microbiota and pouchitis, functional bowel disorders, colorectal cancer, student assessment
Teaching
  • Fourth-year Home Tutor
  • Team supervisor for Trainee Interns
  • Department’s Education representative
Memberships
  • Member fifth-year OSCE committee, Otago Medical School
  • Member of the Clinical Examination Committee, RACS
  • Surgical representative on New Zealand Society of Gastroenterology Executive
Clinical
  • Colorectal surgery, including TEM surgery

Research

My research is interests are linked to my activity as a colorectal surgeon clinician and clinical teacher.

Ileal pouch research: In collaboration with the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, this has involved detailed analysis of stool from patients with and without pouchitis, and pouches created for FAP. DNA techniques were used to study the microbiota. Currently, we are embarking on a clinical trial to explore the use of a specially developed probiotic to observe its effects on pouch inflammation. In addition to this, we are developing a set of DNA stool analysis tools to identify potentially adverse profiles of bacteria in the stool that may increase pouch inflammation and cause pouchitis.

I lead a Functional Bowel Disorder Clinic with Clinical Nurse Specialists and we have are currently setting up a new programme to build on a previous small RCT looking at treatment of bowel control.

I contribute to the Colorectal Translation Research Group that has a number projects on colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease underway. In addition, we have completed and have a number of ongoing projects into the outcomes of colorectal surgery in Otago.

As a clinical teacher I have an interest in the assessment of undergraduate and postgraduate students in the area of clinical skills using OSCEs, working with the faculty, and recently as a member of the Clinical Examination Committee of the RACS.

Publications

Rennie, S., Rudland, J., Poole, P., Wilkinson, T., & Thompson-Fawcett, M. (2024). What factors are influential for junior doctors deciding on a surgical career? ANZ Journal of Surgery, 94(Suppl. 1), SE003. doi: 10.1111/ans.18951 Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Woodfield, J., Clifford, K., Manasawala, A., & Thompson-Fawcett, M. (2024). The impact of stopping surveillance screening at 75 in patients with a previous diagnosis of colorectal cancer. ANZ Journal of Surgery, 94(Suppl. 1), CR098P. doi: 10.1111/ans.18951 Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Young-Gough, A., Woodfield, J., Rudland, J., Thompson-Fawcett, M., Clifford, K., & Harold, F. (2024). The impact of improving clinical feedback and encouraging learner self regulation. Proceedings of the Australian & New Zealand Association for Health Professional Educators (ANZAHPE) Conference. 450. Retrieved from https://www.anzahpe.org/ Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Hart, A., Clifford, K., & Thompson-Fawcett, M. (2023). Recurrence after transanal endoscopic microsurgery for benign and malignant rectal tumours: Experience of a single New Zealand centre. ANZ Journal of Surgery. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/ans.18780 Journal - Research Article

Rudland, J., Poole, P., Wilkinson, T., Thompson-Fawcett, M., & Rennie, S. (2023). The processes adopted in making career decisions by doctors. Proceedings of the Australian & New Zealand Association for Health Professional Educators (ANZAHPE) Festival. 198. Retrieved from https://www.anzahpe.org/ Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

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