Taking time out of training: a Malawi experience

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Surgical Training
• International Medical Collaboration

Background:

• Increased focus on global surgery in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) since the 2015 Lancet Commission.
• High interest among surgical trainees for overseas placements due to various motivating factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the overseas experience of a UK-based orthopaedic trainee in Malawi.
• To present perspectives from both the trainee and the training program director.
• To highlight the growing establishment and benefits of overseas LMIC placements in orthopaedic training.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative review of an individual orthopaedic trainee's overseas experience.
• Inclusion of perspectives from the trainee and their training program director.
• Synthesis of existing literature on the benefits of overseas placements.

Main Results:

• The overseas placement in Malawi provided valuable experience for the UK-based orthopaedic trainee.
• The experience offered insights from both the trainee and training program director viewpoints.
• Overseas LMIC placements are becoming more established within orthopaedic training programs.

Conclusions:

• Overseas placements in LMICs are increasingly recognized as beneficial for surgical training.
• These placements offer advantages to the individual volunteer, donor institutions, and host countries.
• The literature supports the widespread positive impact of such international collaborations in surgery.