VitalSurg: Outcomes From a Surgical Task-Shifting Training Program in a Humanitarian Context

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Surgical Education
• Task-Shifting Initiatives

Background:

• Surgical deserts lack local capacity for essential procedures.
• Task-shifting trains non-specialist doctors to bridge this gap.
• The Vital Surgery Training Program (VitalSurg) addresses this need in South Sudan.

Purpose of the Study:

• Evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness, and adaptability of the second VitalSurg iteration.
• Assess competency-based surgical training integrated into humanitarian care.
• Refine the curriculum based on lessons from the first iteration.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-methods summative evaluation of the VitalSurg program.
• Analysis of quantitative trainee performance data (quizzes, exams, case logs, EPAs).
• Qualitative data collection via Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with stakeholders.

Main Results:

• Trainees performed an average of 1305 procedures, showing improvement across all domains.
• Significant variation in Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) completion and pass rates between trainees.
• Competency-based tools were feasible; KIIs identified challenges (case mix, service-to-education ratio) and refinement opportunities.

Conclusions:

• VitalSurg demonstrates feasibility of integrating task-shifting surgical training within humanitarian activities.
• This model offers a scalable strategy to improve safe surgical care access in conflict zones.
• Task-shifting surgical training is a viable solution for resource-limited settings.