scholarly journals Training global surgery advocates: Strengthening the global surgery voice

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiya Ma ◽  
Dominique Vervoort ◽  
Dan Poenaru

Objective: To strengthen medical trainees around the world on global surgery and advocacy and help develop future generations of global surgeons, anaesthesiologists, and obstetricians.Design: Training Global Surgery Advocates (TGSA), a standardized three-day advocacy workshop developed by the International Student Surgical Network (InciSioN), was built on traditional didactic lectures, role-play exercises, small working group activities, and advocacy and diplomacy training. Assessment was done using a 5-point Likert scale for 18 components regarding the perceived familiarity, knowledge, and motivation for global surgery.Setting: The training was given in the context of the pre-general assembly of the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA) at Université Laval, in Quebec City, Canada.Participants: Twenty-five participants were selected to attend the workshop from a pool of 52 applicants, of which 14 medical students from 7 high-income countries and 7 low- and middle-income countries.Results: An average increase of 1.73 points across all 18 workshop components was observed among participants. After the workshop, all participants agreed or strongly agreed (4.64 average) on their motivation to train other medical students in their respective countries to become global surgery advocates.Conclusion: TGSA significantly improved participants’ knowledge and advocacy skills underlying global surgery. A mixed didactic and hands-on workshop appears to be feasible, enjoyable for participants, and effective in improving medical students involvement in the emerging field of global surgery.

BJS Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Michal Kawka

Abstract Introduction It is estimated that over 10% of the global burden of disease can be treated with surgery, most of which is located in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), underpinning the importance of the topic of global surgery (GS). The multidisciplinary principles of GS are increasingly recognised as being key to modern practice and as such, must be fostered at early stages of medical training. However, it is unclear whether medical students are being exposed to GS. This study aimed to assess the importance of GS and its presence in medical curricula. Methods A novel, 22-item online questionnaire was developed and disseminated to medical students and faculty members using social media. Data collection was conducted by a collaboration of medical students, who acted as regional leads at their institutions. Results 795 medical students and 141 faculty members representing 38/42 of UK medical schools (90.4%) completed the questionnaire. Only 84 students (10.6%) were previously exposed to GS. Most students (66.3%) and faculty (60.6%) agreed that GS should be an integral part of the curriculum. Only 20 students (2.5%) were or familiar with what a career in GS means. Conclusion Approximately 2/3 of students and faculty agree that global surgery should be an integral part of the mandatory curriculum. Findings of this study should underpin further incorporation of GS into curricula, as high-income countries can decisively contribute to achieving the global surgery 2030 targets, by training a new generation of clinicians who are ready for the challenges of the 21st century.


Author(s):  
N Stauffert ◽  
D Hempel ◽  
J Schleifer ◽  
F Recker ◽  
T Schröder ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Biermann ◽  
Salim Kanoun ◽  
Trond Davidsen ◽  
Robert Gray

Abstract Aims Since 2017, medical students at the University of Bergen were taught PET/CT “hands-on” by viewing PET/CT cases in native format on diagnostic workstations in the hospital. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students were barred access. This prompted us to launch and evaluate a new freeware PET/CT viewing system hosted in the university network. Methods We asked our students to install the multiplatform Fiji viewer with Beth Israel PET/CT plugin (http://petctviewer.org) on their personal computers and connect to a central image database in the university network based on the public domain orthanc server (https://orthanc-server.com). At the end of course, we conducted an anonymous student survey. Results The new system was online within eight days, including regulatory approval. All 76 students (100 %) in the fifth year completed their course work, reading five anonymized PET/CT cases as planned. 41 (53 %) students answered the survey. Fiji was challenging to install with a mean score of 1.8 on a 5-point Likert scale (5 = easy, 1 = difficult). Fiji was more difficult to use (score 3.0) than the previously used diagnostic workstations in the hospital (score 4.1; p < 0.001, paired t-test). Despite the technical challenge, 47 % of students reported having learnt much (scores 4 and 5); only 11 % were negative (scores 1 and 2). 51 % found the PET/CT tasks engaging (scores 4 and 5) while 20 % and 5 % returned scores 2 and 1, respectively. Conclusion Despite the initial technical challenge, “hands-on” learning of PET/CT based on the freeware Fiji/orthanc PET/CT-viewer was associated with a high degree of student satisfaction. We plan to continue running the system to give students permanent access to PET/CT cases in native format regardless of time or location.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Ferreira de Sousa ◽  
V Padula de Quadros ◽  
A Balcerzak ◽  
T Bevere

Abstract The FAO/WHO Global Individual Food consumption data Tool (FAO/WHO GIFT) is a novel open-access online platform hosted by FAO and supported by WHO. FAO/WHO GIFT is aimed at increasing the quality, availability and use of individual quantitative food consumption (IQFC) data in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) to enable evidence-based decision-making and policy development for better nutrition and food safety. The platform is developed in synergy with other global initiatives working with food consumption data (e.g. Intake, Global Dietary Database, FAO/WHO FOSCOLLAB). The main objective of the session is to give the opportunity to participants to apply the knowledge gained over the previous sessions. Participants will be divided in small groups to do hands-on exercises using the features of the platform. Participants will learn how to identify existing IQFC surveys worldwide using the FAO/WHO GIFT inventory map. Participants will also explore the potential of the Indicators section of the platform according to the needs of different fields of work (food consumption, food safety and nutrition). Expert users will learn how to download dietary microdata and how to take advantage of other data sources using the same food classification and description system - FoodEx2. The workshop will close with a brainstorm session on how the FAO/WHO GIFT platform can be improved to support participants work.


2021 ◽  
pp. 000313482110030
Author(s):  
Sean J Lee ◽  
Abdul Kader Natour ◽  
Sunil K Geevarghese

To supplement preexisting wellness programming for the surgery clerkship, a faculty surgeon at Vanderbilt initiated Fireside Chats (FC) in 2015. Inspired by Franklin Roosevelt’s Depression-era radio broadcasts, FC features small group sizes, off-campus excursions, and a reimagining of the mentor–mentee relationship that eschews hierarchy in favor of deep, mutualistic connections in both personal and professional domains. Here we describe the rationale and implementation of FC and present survey data that demonstrate the warm reception of FC and its efficacy in stewarding the mental health of medical students. Moreover, unlike large group activities such as “learning communities,” FC continues to meet in-person during COVID-19 and preserves social engagement opportunities that may alleviate pandemic-induced isolation and distress.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 109
Author(s):  
Mohamed Gismalla ◽  
Ahmed Abdallah ◽  
Mohammed Alnoor Mohammed ◽  
Sami Mahjoub Taha

Backgrounds: Commonly, doctors migrate for postgraduate study in African and Middle-east countries to western countries. In this study, we would like to know the percentage of graduates who intended to study abroad and determine the factors of their traveling.Material and methods: This is cross-sectional questionnaire survey. Medical students were asked about their future specialty preference, reasons, and site of training. Also, some demographic data were collected. The data was analyzed by SPSS. P value of < 0.05 was considered significant. Result and Discussion: 197 students responded to our survey and filled the questionnaire properly. Participants knew about future specialty from the teacher, the internet, senior college and advice from a family member with rate 83 (42.1%), 42 (22.8%), 41 (21.3%), and 27(13.7%) respectively. One hundred five (53.3%) of the responders preferred to get their specialty training outside Sudan while the remainder 92(46.7%) preferred local training.The commonest specialty selected among both group are medicine and surgery respectively. Obstetrics and gynecology are selected mainly among students who prefer local training 14 out of 15 totally, with statistically significant (p-value = 0.0001). Residency has significant related to the site of training with (P value 0.03). International recognition and advanced facilities are the commonest cause of traveling abroad among the students. While free hands on training and social reasons are the most common causes of home postgraduates training.Conclusion: More than fifty percent of the participant prefers abroad post-graduates training. The factors which influents site training can be defined as "Pull and Push" factors.


2012 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 340-343
Author(s):  
MASAKO NISHIZUKA ◽  
YUKO TSUTSUMI-ISHII ◽  
TSUTOMU SUZUKI ◽  
YUICHI TOMIKI ◽  
KAZUO KEMPE ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Anne P. George ◽  
Elise E. Ewens

In the age of COVID19, the ultimate question in healthcare became who was essential and who was not. Basically, who could be cut from the roster in patient care? Unfortunately, as medical students, many of us did not make that cut, and as rotations were continually evolving and changing, students from even the same institution had varying experiences. Third-year clerkships are defined by the direct patient care and hands-on learning students get, but in the age of COVID19, “hands-on learning” has been a bit hard to come by. Hence, COVID has caused many changes in the way medicine is being taught and practiced. This article will detail the experiences of two medical students from the same institution, working in different locations for their third-year clerkships. We contrast our rural and urban experiences as students in the time of COVID and display the varying experiences students are having during this time. We touch on the potential ramifications for these wide varieties of experiences from students across the U.S. and how this will affect sub-internships and residency applications. 


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rohit Gummi ◽  
Ross Smith ◽  
Raghav Govindarajan

Abstract Background: SIGN chapters across the country provide opportunities for medical students to participate in clinical, research, and service activities in neurology. Despite these, enrollment in SIGN chapters has been traditionally low.Methods: Following changes were introduced: an open board style SIGN chapter executive committee with greater active engagement of first and second year students, new types SIGN chapter activities including journal club articles, hands on workshop (example EMG), celebration/cause events (example ALS walk). In addition, a free neurology clinic was introduced. Activities were planned in consultation with office of medical education, and were organized during ‘down times’. Data on student enrollment, activities successfully carried out, students interested in neurology residency, number of neurology-related research projects with student involvement were collected prior to changes and compared to values after changes were introduced.Results: Post intervention, student engagement in neurology activities and projects increased significantly. There were also significantly more students engaged in neurology related research projects and significantly more students reported interest in neurology. However, a similar increase in applications to neurology residency was not yet observed.Conclusions: An open chapter with early engagement and involvement of first and second year medical students, creating a variety of chapter activities with greater hands on involvement, planned in conjunction with office of medical education has reinvigorated our SIGN chapter.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document