Need for a global obstetric fistula training strategy

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Global Health
• Surgical Education

Background:

• Obstetric fistula is a severe childbirth complication, primarily affecting women in low-resource settings.
• An estimated 2 million women suffer from obstetric fistula, with numbers increasing due to limited surgical access.
• Existing surgical training for obstetric fistula is inconsistent, leading to variable outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the key elements of a new global competency-based training program for obstetric fistula surgery.
• To outline the implementation strategy for this standardized training program.
• To anticipate the program's impact on reducing global obstetric fistula morbidity.

Main Methods:

• Development of the Global Competency-Based Fistula Surgery Training Manual by FIGO and partners.
• Establishment of a global strategy and training program to ensure manual implementation.
• Description of the training program's core components and rollout approach.

Main Results:

• A standardized curriculum and training program have been developed.
• A global strategy is in place for program implementation.
• The program aims to address the shortage of experienced fistula surgeons.

Conclusions:

• The developed training program offers a standardized approach to obstetric fistula surgery.
• Effective implementation is expected to improve surgical outcomes and reduce global morbidity.
• This initiative represents a significant step towards addressing the unmet surgical needs of women with obstetric fistula.