Joanne Copeland

About

Joanne Copeland is a leading clinical researcher in surgical oncology, best known for her pivotal work evaluating robotic-assisted surgery for rectal cancer. Her research centers on comparing robotic and conventional laparoscopic techniques, with a focus on patient safety, surgical efficacy, and the reduction of conversion to open laparotomy. Copeland’s landmark 2017 study, cited over 1,340 times, provided critical evidence that robotic-assisted surgery did not significantly lower conversion rates compared to laparoscopy, challenging assumptions and guiding clinical practice. She further advanced the field by addressing learning curve biases in surgical trials, notably in her 2018 paper exploring how surgeon experience can skew outcomes in randomized controlled trials. As a key contributor to the ROLARR (Robotic vs Laparoscopic Resection for Rectal Cancer) trial, Copeland helped produce the first worldwide randomized evidence on this topic, influencing international surgical guidelines. Her work is essential reading for surgeons and researchers navigating the adoption of new technologies, and her rigorous methodology continues to shape evidence-based surgical decision-making.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Effect of Robotic-Assisted vs Conventional Laparoscopic Surgery on Risk of Conversion to Open Laparotomy Among Patients Undergoing Resection for Rectal Cancer

   1,341 citations · 2017
2. 2
   Exploring and adjusting for potential learning effects in ROLARR: a randomised controlled trial comparing robotic-assisted vs. standard laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer resection

   119 citations · 2018
3. 3
   Robotic-assisted surgery compared with laparoscopic resection surgery for rectal cancer: the ROLARR RCT

   49 citations · 2019
4. 4
   Short Term Pathology Results from the First World Wide Randomised Trial of Robotic Versus Laparoscopic Resection for Rectal Cancer (ROLARR)

   3 citations · 2016

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links