A novel global safe surgery mentorship program using a multidisciplinary team approach

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Surgical Education
• Healthcare Quality Improvement

Background:

• The global surgery movement addresses disparities in surgical care access and quality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
• The Lifebox McCaskey Safe Surgery Fellowship was established in Ethiopia to train multidisciplinary healthcare teams.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the implementation and outcomes of the McCaskey Safe Surgery Fellowship program.
• To identify strengths, challenges, and the impact of the fellowship on participants and surgical practices.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative study design was employed.
• Interviews were conducted with fellows, mentors, and program staff from the first three fellowship cohorts.

Main Results:

• The fellowship curriculum received positive feedback for its multidisciplinary approach.
• Participants reported enhanced teamwork, research, and leadership skills, leading to quality improvement projects.
• Challenges included scheduling, communication with facilities, budget constraints, hospital resistance, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusions:

• The fellowship's model of multidisciplinary training and local mentorship shows promise for improving surgical care in LMICs.
• The program fosters a culture of teamwork and equips participants to advocate for safe surgery.
• Emerging surgical quality champions are expected to create lasting positive impacts on surgical practices.