Alan Fraser
Gastroenterologist
MB ChB 1980 Otago; FRACP 1990
Alan Fraser trained at the University of Otago, graduating in 1980, before undertaking postgraduate training at Waikato and Auckland Hospitals. He later moved to the Royal Free Hospital in London, where he spent three years in a research fellow position. He was awarded Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in 1990 and completed his MD through the University of Otago in 1994.
In 1998, Alan returned to the United Kingdom on sabbatical to Oxford, where he further developed his research interests in inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. He has extensive experience in gastroenterology and endoscopy, with longstanding interests in quality improvement, research, and evidence-based care.
Alan is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Auckland and serves on PTAC, the principal advisory board to PHARMAC. He has presented widely at international conferences and published more than 140 peer-reviewed articles, including research focused on improving the quality and safety of gastroscopy and colonoscopy.
Areas of Expertise
Gastroscopy and colonoscopy
Inflammatory bowel disease
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
Gastrointestinal research and quality improvement
Diagnostic gastroenterology
Endoscopy quality and audit
Contact Details
Mercy Specialist Centre
100 Mountain Road, Epsom,
Auckland 1023
Phone: (09) 630 1838
Q&A with Alan
What do you enjoy most about your work?
Most of my career has been in academic medicine focusing on research and teaching. I am now in fulltime private practice and I am pleased to be able to fully concentrate on providing personal care for a wide range of GI problems.
What is most important to you when caring for patients?
Listening well, clarifying the key problem and making achievable plans.
How do you help patients feel comfortable during a procedure?
Keeping away from the computer during consultations. Finding points of commonality before starting the consultation.
What areas of care are you particularly focused on?
I hope to provide care in all areas of gastroenterology and hepatology but I have expertise in difficult functional problems where the exact diagnosis is unclear.
What do you want patients to know about endoscopy procedures?
I aim to explain what will be achieved by the procedure. What will be the nature of the conversation after the procedure. How will the procedure potentially alter the management plan.
What advice would you give someone preparing for their procedure?
There is an excellent team to help through each step of the way. I have extensive experience in endoscopy and will make sure the procedure is as pleasant as possible.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I am a keen cyclist. I like long distance journeys - for example riding from Cape Reinga to Bluff. I enjoy golf, running events (still doing half marathons) and overseas travel.
A favourite place in Auckland?
I love early morning runs along the waterfront from Parnell to St Heliers.
Something patients might be surprised to learn about you?
I am a country boy brought up on a dairy farm in Takaka, Golden Bay. A long term Aucklander but I still see myself as a “Mainlander”.
ENDOSCOPY AUCKLAND
22 Kipling Ave, Epsom, Auckland 1023
0800 ENDOSCOPY (0800 363 672) or (09) 623 2020
LAPAROSCOPY AUCKLAND (Surgical Services)
148 Gillies Ave, Epsom, Auckland 1023
0800 527 276 or (09) 623 8525.
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