Surgical Training Profiling in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Peru, Ecuador, and Brazil

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Surgical Education
• Medical Training in LMICs

Background:

• Surgical access is inequitably distributed globally, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
• LMICs face significant barriers including limited resources, infrastructure, and workforce shortages impacting surgical care and training.
• Disparities in surgical training exist between LMICs and high-income countries (HICs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To profile surgical residents in Peru, Ecuador, and Brazil.
• To identify strengths, weaknesses, and limitations of surgical training programs in these LMICs.
• To understand resident aspirations for further specialization and training needs.

Main Methods:

• A survey was distributed to surgical residents in selected cities in Peru, Ecuador, and Brazil.
• Non-identifiable information was collected via an online survey.
• The study was designated as Exempt by the Nova Southeastern University Institutional Review Board.

Main Results:

• Ten out of 31 contacted surgical residents responded to the survey.
• Most respondents are in general surgery programs and desire further subspecialization.
• Residents expressed a strong interest in laparoscopic procedures, noting limitations in current training and facility capabilities for advanced surgeries.

Conclusions:

• Surgical residents in LMICs aspire to subspecialize and seek international collaborations.
• Key limitations to surgical training in these regions include technology, staffing, and supply chain issues.
• Despite challenges, strong faculty mentorship is recognized as a significant strength in surgical training programs.