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01-07-2020 | Basic Surgery | Surgery in Low and Middle Income Countries

Surgical Training Throughout Africa: A Review of Operative Case Volumes at Multiple Training Centers

Authors: Robert K. Parker, Hillary M. Topazian, Wairimu Ndegwa, Patricia Chesang, Shinji Strain, Keir Thelander, Andrea S. Parker, Robert Riviello

Published in: World Journal of Surgery | Issue 7/2020

Abstract

Background

Adequate surgical training is paramount to produce competent surgeons to address the global burden of surgical disease. The Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS) has general surgery training programs in eight countries. Operative case volumes have been positively associated with improved trainee performance and patient outcomes. For certification in the USA, 850 total operations are required from defined case categories. Yet, little is known about the operative experience of surgical trainees throughout Africa.

Methods

Operative procedures were reviewed, categorized, and validated from a cohort of PAACS graduates and compared to graduates from Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) programs. The primary and secondary outcomes were total case volumes and cases within ACGME-defined categories. Regional variations were explored.

Results

Twenty PAACS trainees, from five programs in four countries, performed 38,267 unique procedures. ACGME reports on 1211 residents from 251 programs. PAACS graduates logged more major cases (median 1448) than ACGME graduates (median 993) (p value = 0·0001). PAACS graduates performed more gynecology and obstetrics, orthopedics, head and neck, urology, endocrine, operative trauma, pediatric surgery, plastic surgery, and skin and soft tissue cases. US graduates performed more cases in abdomen, alimentary tract, breast, thoracic, and vascular categories. Comparison between regions demonstrated volume and category variations between Kenya and Gabon, Ethiopia, and Cameroon.

Conclusion

PAACS trainees perform more operations than ACGME trainees with differences in distribution. This experience can serve as a model for regional educational programs seeking to address the broad and largely unmet burden of surgical disease.

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Title: Surgical Training Throughout Africa: A Review of Operative Case Volumes at Multiple Training Centers
Authors: Robert K. Parker
Hillary M. Topazian
Wairimu Ndegwa
Patricia Chesang
Shinji Strain
Keir Thelander
Andrea S. Parker
Robert Riviello
Publication date: 01-07-2020
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Keyword: Basic Surgery
Published in: World Journal of Surgery / Issue 7/2020
Print ISSN: 0364-2313
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2323
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-020-05463-9

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Surgical Training Throughout Africa: A Review of Operative Case Volumes at Multiple Training Centers

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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