OBJECTIVES: To measure the productivity of cataract surgeons in Africa and assess the factors that predict high productivity. METHODS: A questionnaire on productivity and working environments was sent to all cataract surgeons trained in Malawi, Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya. In addition, 2 meetings and in-depth discussions were held to elicit information on strategies to improve productivity among surgeons in general. RESULTS: More than 77 000 cataract surgeries were performed in the years 2000 through 2004, resulting in an annual productivity rate of 243 surgeries per surgeon. Higher productivity was associated with having 2 or more cataract surgical sets, a well-functioning operating microscope, 3 or more nursing support staff, and a community program that includes transporting patients to the hospital. CONCLUSION: Strategies for training, supporting, and supervising cataract surgeons in Africa need to be revised to create conditions amenable to greater productivity.
OBJECTIVES: To measure the productivity of cataract surgeons in Africa and assess the factors that predict high productivity. METHODS: A questionnaire on productivity and working environments was sent to all cataract surgeons trained in Malawi, Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya. In addition, 2 meetings and in-depth discussions were held to elicit information on strategies to improve productivity among surgeons in general. RESULTS: More than 77 000 cataract surgeries were performed in the years 2000 through 2004, resulting in an annual productivity rate of 243 surgeries per surgeon. Higher productivity was associated with having 2 or more cataract surgical sets, a well-functioning operating microscope, 3 or more nursing support staff, and a community program that includes transporting patients to the hospital. CONCLUSION: Strategies for training, supporting, and supervising cataract surgeons in Africa need to be revised to create conditions amenable to greater productivity.
Authors: Alfred Sommer; Hugh R Taylor; Thulasiraj D Ravilla; Sheila West; Thomas M Lietman; Jeremy D Keenan; Michael F Chiang; Alan L Robin; Richard P Mills Journal: JAMA Ophthalmol Date: 2014-05 Impact factor: 7.389
Authors: Susan Lewallen; Elena Schmidt; Emma Jolley; Robert Lindfield; William H Dean; Colin Cook; Wanjiku Mathenge; Paul Courtright Journal: BMC Ophthalmol Date: 2015-06-30 Impact factor: 2.209
Authors: Rènée du Toit; Hannah B Faal; Daniel Etya'ale; Boateng Wiafe; Ingrid Mason; Ronnie Graham; Simon Bush; Wanjiku Mathenge; Paul Courtright Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2013-03-18 Impact factor: 2.655