The Evaluation of a Surgical Task-Sharing Program in South Sudan

Five billion people lack access to surgery, with the highest burden being in sub-Saharan Africa. As surgical workforce is crucial closing this gap, University of British Columbia collaborated Médecins Sans Frontières create and launch Essential Surgical Skills (ESS) task-sharing program, which consists online learning modules hands-on training. Our study aimed evaluate pilot program. This a mixed-method prospective cohort effectiveness ESS program South Sudan. Quantitative data included patient outcomes (complications, re-operation, mortality), proficiency trainees (quiz, entrustable professional activity (EPA), logbook data), electronic surveys. We used semi-structured interviews collect qualitative data. From July 2019 February 2021, three performed 385 operations. The most common procedures were skin graft (14.8%) abscess drainage (9.6%). A total 172 EPAs completed, 136 (79%) demonstrated independence trainees. During training, mortality (0.56% vs. 0.13%, p = 0.0541) morbidity (17% 12%, 0.1767) remained unchanged from pretraining phase. Interviews surveys revealed that knowledge interprofessional teamwork improved throughout empowered develop career paths increased their local acceptance among patients other healthcare providers. confirmed feasibility evaluation will hopefully inform Ministries Health partners for development training pillar National Surgical, Obstetric, Anesthesia Plans African region.