International surgery: How to be involved while maintaining a surgical practice
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Published on: March 27, 2018
Yvonne Ying1, Janelle Rekman2, Anne McCarthy3
1Department of Surgery, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Background:
Surgeons can find it challenging to sustain their global involvement while maintaining a clinical practice. This study gathered advice from surgeons with global surgical experience on how to do so successfully.
Methods:
Using a qualitative approach with thematic analysis, 14 semi-structured interviews were conducted with surgeons from different specialties involved in varying international projects.
Results:
Early involvement is important to set up expectations for one's practice, and makes anticipated costs more manageable. The type of practice does not limit amount of participation, but maintaining a broader skill set can be beneficial. Hiring locums can help defray costs for community surgeons, and good collegial support is important for academic surgeons. Family support is important to maintain involvement.
Conclusions:
Surgeons from diverse clinical practices are able to participate in international surgery. Early involvement sets up expectations and allows one to build their practice and lives around their international work instead of the other way around.
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