scholarly journals Analysing the Operative Experience of Paediatric Surgical Trainees in Sub-Saharan Africa Using a Web-Based Logbook

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ciaran Mooney ◽  
Sean Tierney ◽  
Eric O’Flynn ◽  
Miliard Derbew ◽  
Eric Borgstein
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Procedures ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Median Number ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Paediatric Surgery ◽  
Web Based ◽  
International Joint Commission ◽  
Surgical Trainees ◽  
Operative Experience ◽  
Sub Saharan

Abstract Background The expansion of local training programmes is crucial to address the shortages of specialist paediatric surgeons across Sub-Saharan Africa. This study assesses whether the current training programme for paediatric surgery at the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA) is exposing trainees to adequate numbers and types of surgical procedures, as defined by local and international guidelines. Methods Using data from the COSECSA web-based logbook, we retrospectively analysed numbers and types of operations carried out by paediatric surgical trainees at each stage of training between 2015 and 2019, comparing results with indicative case numbers from regional (COSECSA) and international (Joint Commission on Surgical Training) guidelines. Results A total of 7,616 paediatric surgical operations were recorded by 15 trainees, at different stages of training, working across five countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Each trainee recorded a median number of 456 operations (range 56–1111), with operative experience increasing between the first and final year of training. The most commonly recorded operation was inguinal hernia (n = 1051, 13.8%). Trainees performed the majority (n = 5607, 73.6%) of operations recorded in the eLogbook themselves, assisting in the remainder. Trainees exceeded both local and international recommended case numbers for general surgical procedures, with little exposure to sub-specialities. Conclusions Trainees obtain a wide experience in common and general paediatric surgical procedures, the number of which increases during training. Post-certification may be required for those who wish to sub-specialise. The data from the logbook are useful in identifying individuals who may require additional experience and centres which should be offering increased levels of supervised surgical exposure.

scholarly journals Funding paediatric surgery procedures in sub-Saharan Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 233-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian O Ekenze
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Procedures ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Paediatric Surgery ◽  
International Agencies ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Out Of Pocket Payments ◽  
Full Text Review ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Mean Cost

BackgroundIn sub-Saharan Africa, there is a growing awareness of the burden of paediatric surgical diseases. This has highlighted the large discrepancy between the capacity to treat and the ability to afford treatment, and the effect of this problem on access to care. This review focuses on the sources and challenges of funding paediatric surgical procedures in sub-Saharan Africa. MethodsWe undertook a search for studies published between January 2007 and November 2016 that reported the specific funding of paediatric surgical procedures and were conducted in sub-Saharan Africa. Abstract screening, full-text review and data abstraction were completed and resulting data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. ResultsThirty-five studies met our inclusion criteria and were reviewed. The countries that were predominantly emphasized in the publications reviewed were Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana and Uganda. The paediatric surgical procedures involved general paediatric surgery/urology, cardiac surgery, neurosurgery, oncology, plastics, ophthalmology, orthopaedics and otorhinolaryngology. The mean cost of these procedures ranged from 60 to 21,140 United States Dollars (USD). The source of funding for these procedures was mostly out-of-pocket payments (OOPs) by the patient’s family in 32 studies, (91.4%) and medical mission/non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in 21 (60%) studies. This pattern did not differ appreciably between the articles published in the initial and latter 5 years of the study period, although there was a trend towards a reduction in OOP funding. Improvements in healthcare funding by individual countries supported by international organizations and charities were the predominant suggested solutions to challenges in funding.ConclusionWhile considering the potential limitations created by diversity in study design, the reviewed publications indicate that funding for paediatric surgical procedures in sub-Saharan Africa is mostly by OOPs made by families of the patients. This may result in limited access to some procedures. Coordinated efforts, and collaboration between individual countries and international agencies, may help to reduce OOP funding and thus improve access to critical procedures.

scholarly journals Development and launch of the first obstetrics and gynaecology master of medicine residency training programme in Botswana

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Luckett ◽  
M. Nassali ◽  
T. Melese ◽  
B. Moreri-Ntshabele ◽  
T. Moloi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Training Programme ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Subspecialty Training ◽  
Continuous Assessment ◽  
Curricular Development ◽  
Apprenticeship Training ◽  
University Of Botswana ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The University

Abstract Background Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) faces a severe shortage of Obstetrician Gynaecologists (OBGYNs). While the Lancet Commission for Global Surgery recommends 20 OBGYNs per 100,000 population, Botswana has only 40 OBGYNs for a population of 2.3 million. We describe the development of the first OBGYN Master of Medicine (MMed) training programme in Botswana to address this human resource shortage. Methods We developed a 4-year OBGYN MMed programme at the University of Botswana (UB) using the Kern’s approach. In-line with UB MMed standards, the programme includes clinical apprenticeship training complemented by didactic and research requirements. We benchmarked curriculum content, learning outcomes, competencies, assessment strategies and research requirements with regional and international programmes. We engaged relevant local stakeholders and developed international collaborations to support in-country subspecialty training. Results The OBGYN MMed curriculum was completed and approved by all relevant UB bodies within ten months during which time additional staff were recruited and programme financing was assured. The programme was advertised immediately; 26 candidates applied for four positions, and all selected candidates accepted. The programme was launched in January 2020 with government salary support of all residents. The clinical rotations and curricular development have been rolled out successfully. The first round of continuous assessment of residents was performed and internal programme evaluation was conducted. The national accreditation process was initiated. Conclusion Training OBGYNs in-country has many benefits to health systems in SSA. Curricula can be adjusted to local resource context yet achieve international standards through thoughtful design and purposeful collaborations.

scholarly journals Geographic information analysis and web-based geoportals to explore malnutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review of approaches

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabrina Marx ◽  
Revati Phalkey ◽  
Clara B Aranda-Jan ◽  
Jörn Profe ◽  
Rainer Sauerborn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Geographic Information ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Information Analysis ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Sub Saharan

Design-Based Approach for the Implementation of an International Cyberlearning Community of Inquiry for Medical Education

2013 ◽  
pp. 509-525
Author(s):  
Yianna Vovides ◽  
Kristine Korhumel
Keyword(s):  
Community Of Inquiry ◽  
Virtual Community ◽  
Medical Schools ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Teaching Presence ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Theoretical Foundations

This chapter describes the conceptualization and implementation of a cyberlearning environment as a community of inquiry (CoI). This environment includes 13 medical schools from Sub-Saharan Africa and their 50-plus partners from around the world. The theoretical foundations of Communities of Inquiry provided the framework that drove the design of the web-based platform used in this project. Through an emphasis on learning from conversations, the resulting cyberlearning environment was designed to foster engagement among faculty, staff, and students of the 13 medical schools and their partners. Recognizing that generating a virtual community of inquiry framed around the cognitive, social, and teaching presence is no easy task, the approach taken for the design was based on conceptualizing the development of such a community along a continuum that addressed the depth of interaction for each presence. This type of design assumes a phased-in implementation. The chapter describes this conceptualization by addressing the core communication strategy used, which underlies the interactions to support learning from conversations. In addition, the chapter addresses key environmental constraints and how these constraints guided operational decisions during implementation. In addition, the chapter discusses challenges and solutions, as well as lessons learned.

scholarly journals Facilitating the Participation of Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Development Centres in Malawi: Developing a Sustainable Staff Training Programme

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 2104
Author(s):  
Anita Soni ◽  
Paul Lynch ◽  
Mike McLinden ◽  
Jenipher Mbukwa-Ngwira ◽  
Mika Mankhwazi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Children With Disabilities ◽  
Early Childhood Development ◽  
National Policy ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Childhood Development ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Sub Saharan

This article explores the development of a sustainable training programme supporting the inclusion of children with disabilities in early childhood, education and care (ECEC) centres in Malawi. This programme is based on a review of literature of curriculum, pedagogy and teaching approaches in ECEC in sub-Saharan Africa, alongside a review of national policy documents. The training was designed to enable staff to value the inclusion of children with disabilities in ECEC centres, as well as suggesting practical ways to do so. We set out our response to the gap in training of ECEC staff through the development of a supplementary integrated training programme, which, whilst respectful of the curriculum, policy and practice of Malawi, challenged staff to consider ways of including children with disabilities (CWD) and their families. We suggest this is a pragmatic and sustainable model that could be applied to training in other ECEC settings across the region in sub-Saharan Africa. It concludes with guiding principles for training those working in ECEC with young children with disabilities in low-income countries.

scholarly journals Multidrug-resistant surgical site infections in a humanitarian surgery project

2016 ◽  
Vol 144 (16) ◽  
pp. 3520-3526 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. MURPHY ◽  
O. OKOLI ◽  
I. ESSIEN ◽  
C. TEICHER ◽  
G. ELDER ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Site Infections ◽  
Median Number ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Post Discharge ◽  
Port Harcourt ◽  
Sensitivity Report ◽  
Late Generation ◽  
Sub Saharan

SUMMARYThe epidemiology of surgical site infections (SSIs) in surgical programmes in sub-Saharan Africa is inadequately described. We reviewed deep and organ-space SSIs occurring within a trauma project that had a high-quality microbiology partnership and active follow-up. Included patients underwent orthopaedic surgery in Teme Hospital (Port Harcourt, Nigeria) for trauma and subsequently developed a SSI requiring debridement and microbiological sampling. Data were collected from structured chart reviews and programmatic databases for 103 patients with suspected SSI [79% male, median age 30 years, interquartile range (IQR) 24–37]. SSIs were commonly detected post-discharge with 58% presenting >28 days after surgery. The most common pathogens were: Staphylococcus aureus (34%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16%) and Enterobacter cloacae (11%). Thirty-three (32%) of infections were caused by a multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogen, including 15 patients with methicillin-resistant S. aureus. Antibiotics were initiated empirically for 43% of patients and after culture and sensitivity report in 32%. The median number of additional surgeries performed in patients with SSI was 5 (IQR 2–6), one patient died (1%), and amputation was performed or recommended in three patients. Our findings suggest the need for active long-term monitoring of SSIs, particularly those associated with MDR organisms, resulting in increased costs for readmission surgery and treatment with late-generation antibiotics.

scholarly journals Development and Launch of the First Obstetrics and Gynaecology Master of Medicine Residency Training Programme in Botswana

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Luckett ◽  
Mercy Nassali ◽  
Tadele Melese ◽  
Badani Moreri-Ntshabele ◽  
Thabo Moloi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Training Programme ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Subspecialty Training ◽  
University Of Botswana ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The University ◽  
Assessment Strategies ◽  
Resource Shortage ◽  
Severe Shortage

Abstract Background: Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) faces a severe shortage of Obstetrician Gynaecologists (OBGYNs). While the Lancet Commission for Global Surgery recommends 20 OBGYNs per 100,000 population, Botswana has only 40 OBGYNs for a population of 2.3 million. We describe the development of the first OBGYN Master of Medicine (MMed) training programme in Botswana to address this human resource shortage.Methods: We developed a curriculum for a 4-year OBGYN MMed at the University of Botswana (UB). We benchmarked curriculum content, learning outcomes, competencies, assessment strategies and research requirements with regional and international programmes. We engaged relevant local stakeholders and developed international collaborations to support in-country subspecialty training. Results: The OBGYN MMed curriculum was completed and approved by all relevant UB bodies within ten months during which time additional staff were recruited and programme financing was assured. The programme was advertised immediately; 26 candidates applied for four positions, and all selected candidates accepted. The programme was launched in January 2020 with government salary support of all residents. The national accreditation process was initiated.Conclusion: Training OBGYNs in-country has many benefits to health systems in SSA. Curricula can be adjusted to local resource context yet achieve international standards through thoughtful design and purposeful collaborations.

scholarly journals Open source geoprocessing tools and meteorological satellite data for crop risk zones monitoring in Sub-Saharan Africa

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiziana De Filippis ◽  
Leandro Rocchi ◽  
Patrizio Vignaroli ◽  
Maurizio Bacci ◽  
Vieri Tarchiani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Open Source ◽  
Early Warning Systems ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Precipitation Forecast ◽  
Drought Risk ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Risk Zones ◽  
Sub Saharan

In Sub-Saharan Africa analysis tools and models based on meteorological satellites data have been developed within different national and international cooperation initiatives, with the aim of allowing a better monitoring of the cropping season. In most cases, the software was a stand-alone application and the upgrading, in terms of analysis functions, database and hardware maintenance, was difficult for the National Meteorological Services (NMSs) in charge of agro-hydro-meteorological monitoring. The web-based solution proposed in this work intends to improve and ensure the sustainability of applications to support national Early Warning Systems (EWSs) for food security. The Crop Risk Zones (CRZ) model for Niger and Mali, integrated in a web-based open source framework, has been implemented using PL/pgSQL & PostGIS functions to process different meteorological data sets: a) the rainfall precipitation forecast images from Global Forecast System (GFS) b) the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) Rainfall Estimation (RFE) for Africa c) Multi-Sensor Precipitation Estimate (MPE) images from EUMETSAT Earth Observation Portal d) the MOD16 Global Terrestrial Evapotranspiration Data Set. Restful Web Services upload raster images into the PostgreSQL/PostGIS database. PL/pgSQL functions are used to run the CRZ model to identify installation and phenological phases of the main crops in the Region and to create crop risk zones images. This model is focused on the early identification of risks and the production of information for food security within the time prescribed for decision-making. The challenge and the objective of this work is to set up an open access monitoring system, based on meteorological open data providers, targeting NMSs and any other local decision makers for drought risk reduction and resilience improvement.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document