Robert Baird1, Dan Poenaru2, Michael Ganey3, Erik Hansen4, Sherif Emil5. 1. Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, The Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. 2. Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, The Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; BethanyKids, Africa. 3. Tenwek Hospital, Bomet, Kenya. 4. AIC Kijabe Hospital, Kijabe, Kenya; Department of Pediatric Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN. 5. Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, The Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Electronic address: Sherif.Emil@McGill.ca.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In pediatric surgery, significant differences in education and practice exist between developed and developing nations. We compared the training of senior fellows in a Canadian and a Kenyan pediatric surgery training program, and evaluated a fellow exchange between the programs. METHODS: The study was performed six years after creation of the exchange program. Areas studied included case volume and distribution, length of training, curriculum, work hours, and an estimate of service to education ratio. Perceived strengths and challenges of the exchange were investigated using questionnaires. RESULTS: Fellows at each site performed approximately 450 cases/year. Significant differences in case distribution were noted, with plastic surgery, urology and neurosurgery procedures being significantly more frequent in the Kenyan center, and neonatal, minimally invasive, and vascular access procedures being significantly more frequent in the Canadian center. All participants identified educational value in the exchange, although logistical challenges were significant. CONCLUSION: Differences exist in the training experiences of pediatric surgical fellows in Canada and Kenya, reflecting the differences in health care environment, education, and surgical practice in the two countries. The exchange program of pediatric surgical fellows tapped into this rich diversity and may be applicable to other medical and surgical specialty training programs.
BACKGROUND: In pediatric surgery, significant differences in education and practice exist between developed and developing nations. We compared the training of senior fellows in a Canadian and a Kenyan pediatric surgery training program, and evaluated a fellow exchange between the programs. METHODS: The study was performed six years after creation of the exchange program. Areas studied included case volume and distribution, length of training, curriculum, work hours, and an estimate of service to education ratio. Perceived strengths and challenges of the exchange were investigated using questionnaires. RESULTS: Fellows at each site performed approximately 450 cases/year. Significant differences in case distribution were noted, with plastic surgery, urology and neurosurgery procedures being significantly more frequent in the Kenyan center, and neonatal, minimally invasive, and vascular access procedures being significantly more frequent in the Canadian center. All participants identified educational value in the exchange, although logistical challenges were significant. CONCLUSION: Differences exist in the training experiences of pediatric surgical fellows in Canada and Kenya, reflecting the differences in health care environment, education, and surgical practice in the two countries. The exchange program of pediatric surgical fellows tapped into this rich diversity and may be applicable to other medical and surgical specialty training programs.
Authors: Tamara N Fitzgerald; Nyagetuba J K Muma; John A Gallis; Grey Reavis; Alvan Ukachukwu; Emily R Smith; Osondu Ogbuoji; Henry E Rice Journal: Ann Glob Health Date: 2021-03-31 Impact factor: 2.462