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Eur J Pediatr Surg 2022; 32(04): 363-369
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1734029
Review Article

Globalization in Pediatric Surgical Training: The Benefit of an International Fellowship in a Low-to-Middle–Income Country Academic Hospital

Andrea Zanini    *
1   Department of Paediatric Surgery, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
,
Christina Oetzmann von Sochaczewski  ‡   *
1   Department of Paediatric Surgery, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
2   Clinic and Policlinic for Paediatric Surgery, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
,
Sonia Basson
1   Department of Paediatric Surgery, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
,
Giulia Brisighelli 
1   Department of Paediatric Surgery, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
,
Antonio Di Cesare
1   Department of Paediatric Surgery, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
3   Department of Pediatric Surgery, Fondazione IRCCS Ca‘ Granda Ospedale Policlinico Milano, Italy
,
Tarryn Gabler 
1   Department of Paediatric Surgery, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
,
Valerio Gentilino
1   Department of Paediatric Surgery, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
4   Unit of Pediatric Surgery, Woman and Child Department, Filippo del Ponte Hospital – ASST Sette Laghi, Varese, Italy
,
Milan Gopal
1   Department of Paediatric Surgery, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
5   Department of Pediatric Surgery, Great North Children's Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
,
Andrew Grieve
1   Department of Paediatric Surgery, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
,
Derek Harrison
1   Department of Paediatric Surgery, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
,
Nirav Patel
1   Department of Paediatric Surgery, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
,
Chris Westgarth-Taylor
1   Department of Paediatric Surgery, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
,
Aletha Withers
1   Department of Paediatric Surgery, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
,
Jerome A. Loveland
1   Department of Paediatric Surgery, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Abstract

Objective A relative oversupply of pediatric surgeons led to increasing difficulties in surgical training in high-income countries (HIC), popularizing international fellowships in low-to-middle–income countries (LMIC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefit of an international fellowship in an LMIC for the training of pediatric surgery trainees from HICs.

Methods We retrospectively reviewed and compared the prospectively maintained surgical logbooks of international pediatric surgical trainees who completed a fellowship at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in the last 10 years. We analyzed the number of surgeries, type of involvement, and level of supervision in the operations. Data are provided in mean differences between South Africa and the respective home country.

Results Seven fellows were included. Operative experience was higher in South Africa in general (Δx̅ = 381; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 236–656; p < 0.0001) and index cases (Δx̅ = 178; 95% CI: 109–279; p < 0.0001). In South Africa, fellows performed more index cases unsupervised (Δx̅ = 71; 95% CI: 42–111; p < 0.0001), but a similar number under supervision (Δx̅ = –1; 95% CI: –25–24; p = 0.901). Fellows were exposed to more surgical procedures in each pediatric surgical subspecialty.

Conclusion An international fellowship in a high-volume subspecialized unit in an LMIC can be highly beneficial for HIC trainees, allowing exposure to higher caseload, opportunity to operate independently, and to receive a wider exposure to the different fields of pediatric surgery. The associated benefit for the local trainees is some reduction in their clinical responsibilities due to the additional workforce, providing them with the opportunity for protected academic and research time.

Keywords

pediatric surgery - international fellowship - training

* These authors contributed equally.




Publication History

Received: 21 February 2021

Accepted: 13 July 2021

Article published online:
18 August 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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