Adam Gyedu1,2, Sam Debrah3, Kwabena Agbedinu4, Stephanie K Goodman5, Jacob Plange-Rhule6, Peter Donkor7, Charles Mock8,9. 1. Department of Surgery, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. drgyedu@gmail.com. 2. University Hospital, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. drgyedu@gmail.com. 3. Department of Surgery, School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana. 4. Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana. 5. Standford Children's Health, Palo Alto, CA, USA. 6. Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, Accra, Ghana. 7. Department of Surgery, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. 8. Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA. 9. Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Prior to 2003, production of new surgeons in Ghana was limited. In 2003, the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (GCPS) initiated the first wholly in-country training and credentialing of surgeons. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of in-country training of surgeons in Ghana. METHODS: We interviewed 117 (80%) of the 146 surgeons trained through the GCPS from inception through 2016. We gathered data on type of training, practice location, clinical workload, and administrative and teaching roles. Operations were categorized into those deemed essential (most cost-effective, highest population impact) by the World Bank's Disease Control Priorities project versus other. RESULTS: In-country retention was 87-97%. A little more than half (56%) were working in the two largest cities and 44% were working in higher need areas. Twenty-two (19%) were the first surgeon to have worked at their current hospital. The surgeons performed a mean of 13 operations per week (seven electives, six emergencies). 35% of elective and 77% of emergency operations were in the essential category. Most (79%) surgeons were engaged in training/teaching; 46% were engaged in research; and 33% held an administrative office. CONCLUSIONS: In-country surgical training has led to high retention and wide geographic distribution, including high need areas. The in-country trained surgeons are playing key roles in clinical practice, training, and administration. These data provide support for investments in similar efforts in other low- and middle-income countries.
BACKGROUND: Prior to 2003, production of new surgeons in Ghana was limited. In 2003, the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (GCPS) initiated the first wholly in-country training and credentialing of surgeons. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of in-country training of surgeons in Ghana. METHODS: We interviewed 117 (80%) of the 146 surgeons trained through the GCPS from inception through 2016. We gathered data on type of training, practice location, clinical workload, and administrative and teaching roles. Operations were categorized into those deemed essential (most cost-effective, highest population impact) by the World Bank's Disease Control Priorities project versus other. RESULTS: In-country retention was 87-97%. A little more than half (56%) were working in the two largest cities and 44% were working in higher need areas. Twenty-two (19%) were the first surgeon to have worked at their current hospital. The surgeons performed a mean of 13 operations per week (seven electives, six emergencies). 35% of elective and 77% of emergency operations were in the essential category. Most (79%) surgeons were engaged in training/teaching; 46% were engaged in research; and 33% held an administrative office. CONCLUSIONS: In-country surgical training has led to high retention and wide geographic distribution, including high need areas. The in-country trained surgeons are playing key roles in clinical practice, training, and administration. These data provide support for investments in similar efforts in other low- and middle-income countries.
Authors: Adam Gyedu; Godfred Boakye; Charles K Dally; Anita Eseenam Agbeko; Francis A Abantanga; Adam L Kushner; Barclay T Stewart Journal: J Health Care Poor Underserved Date: 2017
Authors: Barclay T Stewart; Adam Gyedu; Francis Abantanga; Abdul Rashid Abdulai; Godfred Boakye; Adam Kushner Journal: World J Surg Date: 2015-11 Impact factor: 3.352
Authors: John G Meara; Andrew J M Leather; Lars Hagander; Blake C Alkire; Nivaldo Alonso; Emmanuel A Ameh; Stephen W Bickler; Lesong Conteh; Anna J Dare; Justine Davies; Eunice Dérivois Mérisier; Shenaaz El-Halabi; Paul E Farmer; Atul Gawande; Rowan Gillies; Sarah L M Greenberg; Caris E Grimes; Russell L Gruen; Edna Adan Ismail; Thaim Buya Kamara; Chris Lavy; Ganbold Lundeg; Nyengo C Mkandawire; Nakul P Raykar; Johanna N Riesel; Edgar Rodas; John Rose; Nobhojit Roy; Mark G Shrime; Richard Sullivan; Stéphane Verguet; David Watters; Thomas G Weiser; Iain H Wilson; Gavin Yamey; Winnie Yip Journal: Lancet Date: 2015-04-26 Impact factor: 79.321
Authors: Håkon A Bolkan; Lars Hagander; Johan von Schreeb; Donald Bash-Taqi; Thaim B Kamara; Øyvind Salvesen; Arne Wibe Journal: World J Surg Date: 2016-06 Impact factor: 3.352
Authors: Adam Gyedu; Barclay Stewart; Cameron Gaskill; Emmanuella Lebasaana Salia; Raymond Wadie; Peter Donkor; Charles Mock Journal: World J Surg Date: 2019-07 Impact factor: 3.352
Authors: Samuel Debrah; Peter Donkor; Charles Mock; Joseph Bonney; George Oduro; Michael Ohene-Yeboah; Robert Quansah; Stephen Tabiri Journal: Ghana Med J Date: 2020-09