Evaluation of the medium-term outcomes and impact of the Rowan Nicks Scholarship Programme

Rowan Nicks was a cardiothoracic surgeon in Sydney. He endowed the Rowan Nicks Scholarship Programme of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, which was initiated in 1991 to provide opportunities for clinicians from developing countries so that they return to their countries as leaders and teachers. This paper's objective was to evaluate the outcomes and impact of the scholarship on individuals and their communities.

A survey was undertaken of 34 eligible scholars of whom 29 participated. It was directed at whether objectives were achieved in technical skills, patient management and in competency in research and leadership.

Ninety-eight per cent of scholars returned to work in their home country. Twenty-eight of 29 were working in their chosen specialty and had returned to their former positions. The clinical/operative skills obtained were regarded as useful by 86%, and 22/29 (76%) scholars reported they had gained worthwhile leadership and administrative skills. Improved clinical outcomes for patients were achieved as evidenced by reduced mortality and less disability. There was also a positive impact on health systems. The best documented of these were improved trauma management, development of paediatric surgery in rural Bangladesh, a new cardiac unit in Myanmar, organ transplantation and better injury outcomes in Papua New Guinea.

The programme has resulted in potential and actual leaders returning to their home countries where they positively impacted on health and surgical services. This has resulted in a reduced burden of surgical disease in the scholars' countries as measured by less death, disability and deformity.