The Growth of Neurosurgery in East Africa: Challenges

Santos, Marcela de Souza; Qureshi, Mubashir Mahmood; Budohoski, Karol P.; Mangat, Halinder S.; Ngerageza, Japhet G.; Schöller, Karsten; Shabani, Hamisi K.; Zubkov, Micaella; Härtl, Roger

doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2018.01.084

Cited by 32 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Although low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) have the greatest burden of neurosurgical diseases, their access to resources is limited (1). Neurosurgeons in these regions, especially in Africa, face unique challenges (2).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Needs of Young African Neurosurgeons and Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study

Kanmounye¹,

Robertson

Thango

et al. 2021

Front. Surg.

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Introduction: Africa has many untreated neurosurgical cases due to limited access to safe, affordable, and timely care. In this study, we surveyed young African neurosurgeons and trainees to identify challenges to training and practice.Methods: African trainees and residents were surveyed online by the Young Neurosurgeons Forum from April 25th to November 30th, 2018. The survey link was distributed via social media platforms and through professional society mailing lists. Univariate and bivariate data analyses were run and a P-value < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.Results: 112 respondents from 20 countries participated in this study. 98 (87.5%) were male, 63 (56.3%) were from sub-Saharan Africa, and 52 (46.4%) were residents. 39 (34.8%) had regular journal club sessions at their hospital, 100 (89.3%) did not have access to cadaver dissection labs, and 62 (55.4%) had never attended a WFNS-endorsed conference. 67.0% of respondents reported limited research opportunities and 58.9% reported limited education opportunities. Lack of mentorship (P = 0.023, Phi = 0.26), lack of access to journals (P = 0.002, Phi = 0.332), and limited access to conferences (P = 0.019, Phi = 0.369) were associated with the country income category.Conclusion: This survey identified barriers to education, research, and practice among African trainees and young neurosurgeons. The findings of this study should inform future initiatives aimed at reducing the barriers faced by this group.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Needs of Young African Neurosurgeons and Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study

Kanmounye¹,

Robertson

Thango

et al. 2021

Front. Surg.

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“…6 The implementation of a sustainable training system in these countries requires significant resources and many years. 14,17 Some authors have pointed out critical issues that must be addressed in order to face the increasing demands of neurosurgical care. Such issues may be negotiated by investing in resources to improve transportation from rural areas to hospitals, minimize costs for surgical procedures, and create global networks between hospitals in LMICs and Western neurosurgical centers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neurosurgical digital teaching in low-middle income countries: beyond the frontiers of traditional education

Nicolosi¹,

Rossini²,

Zaed

et al. 2018

Neurosurgical Focus

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OBJECTIVENeurosurgical training is usually based on traditional sources of education, such as papers, books, direct surgical experience, and cadaveric hands-on courses. In low-middle income countries, standard education programs are often unavailable, mainly owing to the lack of human and economic resources. Introducing digital platforms in these settings could be an alternative solution for bridging the gap between Western and poor countries in neurosurgical knowledge.METHODSThe authors identified from the Internet the main digital platforms that could easily be adopted in low-middle income countries. They selected free/low-cost mobile content with high educational impact.RESULTSThe platforms that were identified as fulfilling the characteristics described above are WFNS Young Neurosurgeons Forum Stream, Brainbook, NeuroMind, UpSurgeOn, The Neurosurgical Atlas, Touch surgery, The 100 UCLA Subjects in Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery Survival Guide, EANS (European Association of Neurosurgical Societies) Academy, Neurosurgical.TV, 3D Neuroanatomy, The Rhoton Collection, and Hinari. These platforms consist of webinars, 3D interactive neuroanatomy and neurosurgery content, videos, and e-learning programs supported by neurosurgical associations or journals.CONCLUSIONSDigital education is an emerging tool for contributing to the spread of information in the neurosurgical community. The continuous improvement in the quality of content will rapidly increase the scientific validity of digital programs. In conclusion, the fast and easy access to digital resources could contribute to promote neurosurgical education in countries with limited facilities.

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“…To date, neurosurgery still records an overwhelming unmet need. LMICs, in particular, have the greatest unmet neurosurgical disease burden, attributed by the small ratio of neurosurgeons per capita, and the difficulty in accessing neurosurgical care (12)(13)(14). Poor access to neurosurgical services is a result of many factors such as insufficient infrastructure, inadequate training, limited workforce, and the geographical location of care centers (15,16).…”

Section: Current State Of Neurosurgical Care Around the World: Workforce Deficit And Lack Of Global Neurosurgery Capacity Building In Curmentioning

confidence: 99%

Emphasizing the Role of Neurosurgery Within Global Health and National Health Systems: A Call to Action

et al. 2021

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Background: Worldwide, neurological disorders are the leading cause of disability-adjusted life years lost and the second leading cause of death. Despite global health capacity-building efforts, each year, 22.6 million individuals worldwide require neurosurgeon's care due to diseases such as traumatic brain injury and hydrocephalus, and 13.8 million of these individuals require surgery. It is clear that neurosurgical care is indispensable in both national and international public health discussions. This study highlights the role neurosurgeons can play in supporting the global health agenda, national surgical plans, and health strengthening systems (HSS) interventions.Methods: Guided by a literature review, the authors discuss key topics such as the global burden of neurosurgical diseases, the current state of neurosurgical care around the world and the inherent benefits of strong neurosurgical capability for health systems.Results: Neurosurgical diseases make up an important part of the global burden of diseases. Many neurosurgeons possess the sustained passion, resilience, and leadership needed to advocate for improved neurosurgical care worldwide. Neurosurgical care has been linked to 14 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), thus highlighting the tremendous impact neurosurgeons can have upon HSS initiatives.Conclusion: We recommend policymakers and global health actors to: (i) increase the involvement of neurosurgeons within the global health dialogue; (ii) involve neurosurgeons in the national surgical system strengthening process; (iii) integrate neurosurgical care within the global surgery movement; and (iv) promote the training and education of neurosurgeons, especially those residing in Low-and middle-income countries, in the field of global public health.

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The Growth of Neurosurgery in East Africa: Challenges

Cited by 32 publications

References 25 publications

Needs of Young African Neurosurgeons and Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study

Needs of Young African Neurosurgeons and Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study

Neurosurgical digital teaching in low-middle income countries: beyond the frontiers of traditional education

Emphasizing the Role of Neurosurgery Within Global Health and National Health Systems: A Call to Action

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