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Training outside of the box.
Andrew G Hill1, John C Woodfield
1Department of Surgery, Middlemore Hospital and Auckland Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand. ahill@middlemore.co.nz
ANZ Journal of Surgery
|November 18, 2003
Summary
Surgical trainees can gain valuable experience in global health through rotations in mission hospitals. This novel approach prepares doctors for medical aid work in developing countries with adequate supervision.
Area of Science:
- Global Surgery
- Surgical Education
- International Health
Background:
- Individualized surgical training programs are evolving in Australasia.
- Training for medical aid or missionary surgery in developing nations is challenging to obtain locally.
- A novel training approach involves a 6-month rotation in a rural East African mission hospital.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a novel approach for surgical training in resource-limited settings.
- To evaluate the feasibility and benefits of a 5-month surgical rotation in Kenya for Australasian trainees.
Main Methods:
- A surgical trainee completed a 5-month placement at Kijabe Hospital, Kenya.
- The hospital is a large mission facility with a high volume of general surgery cases and sufficient training staff.
- The trainee performed major surgical procedures under supervision and participated in educational activities.
Main Results:
- The trainee performed 214 major general surgery cases with appropriate supervision.
- Participated in regular educational sessions and surgical audits.
- Contributed to the development of an early laparoscopic surgery program in East Africa.
Conclusions:
- Australasian surgical trainees can acquire valuable experience in rural African mission hospitals.
- Effective surgical training is possible in resource-limited environments with adequate supervision.
- This rotation provides essential preparation for global health surgical practice.