WORLD JOURNAL OF PLASTIC SURGERY
Thu, Nov 21, 2024
[Archive]
Volume 13, Issue 2 (2024)
WJPS 2024, 13(2): 11-18 |
Back to browse issues page
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Ka M, Modarressi A, Dumont L. The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Reconstructive Surgery and Training Programs in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Cross-Sectional Survey. WJPS 2024; 13 (2) :11-18
URL: http://wjps.ir/article-1-1264-en.html
URL: http://wjps.ir/article-1-1264-en.html
1- Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland , lionel.dumont@2nd-chance.org
2- “2nd Chance” Association, Geneva, Switzerland
3- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, Intensive care and Acute Medicine, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland
2- “2nd Chance” Association, Geneva, Switzerland
3- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, Intensive care and Acute Medicine, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland
Abstract: (1588 Views)
Background:
In Sub-Saharan Africa, which already faced challenges due to a lack of surgeons and facilities, the COVID-19 pandemic could significantly disrupt surgical activities and training programs. "2nd Chance", a non-governmental organization providing training program to enhance local reconstructive surgery capacity in this region since 2015, could play a crucial role in addressing these issues. We aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 on the activity of sub-Saharan African reconstructive surgeons collaborating with "2nd Chance" organization and evaluate its effect on the organization's training programs.
Methods:
In the course of 2022, an online cross-sectional survey was conducted among reconstructive surgeons working in sub-Saharan African countries and collaborating with "2nd Chance". The survey consisted of 57 questions covering demographics, impacts of COVID-19 on personal life, clinical and training activities.
Results:
Of 469 surgeons eligible for the study, 240 were included and 51 responded. The impact of COVID-19 was felt personally in terms of health and stress. Clinical activities were severely affected, with some reporting higher mortality due to surgical cancellations and delays. Regarding training, there was a shift from practical to theoretical learning, though overall impact was moderate. One-third of participants were able to attend "2nd Chance" workshops. Among the 17 planned workshops, 9 were successfully conducted, and 4 of them exclusively featured African trainers.
Conclusion:
The COVID-19 pandemic had substantial consequences on reconstructive surgery in sub-Saharan Africa, impacting more clinical practices than training programs. Collaboration between African and European trainers proved essential during the pandemic. In future pandemics, South-South collaborations should be prioritized.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, which already faced challenges due to a lack of surgeons and facilities, the COVID-19 pandemic could significantly disrupt surgical activities and training programs. "2nd Chance", a non-governmental organization providing training program to enhance local reconstructive surgery capacity in this region since 2015, could play a crucial role in addressing these issues. We aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 on the activity of sub-Saharan African reconstructive surgeons collaborating with "2nd Chance" organization and evaluate its effect on the organization's training programs.
Methods:
In the course of 2022, an online cross-sectional survey was conducted among reconstructive surgeons working in sub-Saharan African countries and collaborating with "2nd Chance". The survey consisted of 57 questions covering demographics, impacts of COVID-19 on personal life, clinical and training activities.
Results:
Of 469 surgeons eligible for the study, 240 were included and 51 responded. The impact of COVID-19 was felt personally in terms of health and stress. Clinical activities were severely affected, with some reporting higher mortality due to surgical cancellations and delays. Regarding training, there was a shift from practical to theoretical learning, though overall impact was moderate. One-third of participants were able to attend "2nd Chance" workshops. Among the 17 planned workshops, 9 were successfully conducted, and 4 of them exclusively featured African trainers.
Conclusion:
The COVID-19 pandemic had substantial consequences on reconstructive surgery in sub-Saharan Africa, impacting more clinical practices than training programs. Collaboration between African and European trainers proved essential during the pandemic. In future pandemics, South-South collaborations should be prioritized.
References
1. Meara JG, Leather AJM, Hagander L, et al. Global Surgery 2030: evidence and solutions for achieving health, welfare, and economic development. Lancet Lond Engl 2015;386(9993):569-624. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(15)60160-X [DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(15)60160-X]
2. Shrime MG, Bickler SW, Alkire BC, Mock C. Global burden of surgical disease: an estimation from the provider perspective. Lancet Glob Health 2015;3:S8-S9. doi:10.1016/S2214-109X(14)70384-5 [DOI:10.1016/S2214-109X(14)70384-5]
3. Tolani MA, Fidelis L, Oyelowo N, et al. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on surgical practice, training, and research in Nigeria. Pan Afr Med J 2021; 39:59. doi:10.11604/pamj.2021.39.59.23678 [DOI:10.11604/pamj.2021.39.59.23678]
4. Mahmud MR, Cheserem B, Esene IN, et al. The Impact of COVID-19 on Neurosurgical Services in Africa. World Neurosurg 2021; 146:e747-e754. doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2020.11.004 [DOI:10.1016/j.wneu.2020.11.004]
5. Ibrahim A. Sub-specialization in plastic surgery in Sub-saharan Africa: capacities, gaps and opportunities. Pan Afr Med J 2014; 19. doi:10.11604/pamj.2014.19.13.4190 [DOI:10.11604/pamj.2014.19.13.4190]
6. Mulwafu W, Fualal J, Bekele A, et al. The impact of COSECSA in developing the surgical workforce in East Central and Southern Africa. Surg J R Coll Surg Edinb Irel 2022; 20(1):2-8. doi:10.1016/j.surge.2021.11.003 [DOI:10.1016/j.surge.2021.11.003]
7. Hoyler M, Hagander L, Gillies R, et al. Surgical care by non-surgeons in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review. Lancet Lond Engl 2015; 385 Suppl 2:S42. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(15)60837-6 [DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(15)60837-6]
8. Dumont L, Péchère M, Gold B, Modarressi A, Zeidan A, Quinodoz P. [Training in reconstructive surgery in sub-Saharan Africa : the « 2nd Chance » model]. Rev Med Suisse 2021;17(737):885-888. [DOI:10.53738/REVMED.2021.17.737.0885]
9. Martiniuk AL, Manouchehrian M, Negin JA, Zwi AB. Brain Gains: a literature review of medical missions to low and middle-income countries. BMC Health Serv Res 2012; 12:134. doi:10.1186/1472-6963-12-134 [DOI:10.1186/1472-6963-12-134]
10. Caldron PH, Impens A, Pavlova M, Groot W. A systematic review of social, economic and diplomatic aspects of short-term medical missions. BMC Health Serv Res 2015; 15(1):380. doi:10.1186/s12913-015-0980-3 [DOI:10.1186/s12913-015-0980-3]
11. Inglesby DC, Boyd CJ. Economic implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the plastic surgery community. J Plast Reconstr Aesthetic Surg JPRAS 2020; 73(7):1357-1404. doi:10.1016/j.bjps.2020.05.030 [DOI:10.1016/j.bjps.2020.05.030]
12. Ciarleglio FA, Rigoni M, Mereu L, et al. The negative effects of COVID-19 and national lockdown on emergency surgery morbidity due to delayed access. World J Emerg Surg WJES 2021; 16(1):37. doi:10.1186/s13017-021-00382-z [DOI:10.1186/s13017-021-00382-z]
13. Alabi QK, Oyedeji AS, Kayode OO, Kajewole-Alabi DI. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mother and child health in Sub-Saharan Africa - a review. Pediatr Res. Published online May 18, 2023:1-6. doi:10.1038/s41390-023-02651-w [DOI:10.1038/s41390-023-02651-w]
14. Mazingi D, Ihediwa G, Ford K, Ademuyiwa AO, Lakhoo K. Mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on children's surgery in Africa. BMJ Glob Health 2020; 5(6):e003016. doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003016 [DOI:10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003016]
15. Laura P, José A, Nikki A, et al. Impact of COVID-19 on global burn care. Burns J Int Soc Burn Inj 2022; 48(6):1301-1310. doi:10.1016/j.burns.2021.11.010 [DOI:10.1016/j.burns.2021.11.010]
16. Quaglio G, Cavallin F, Nsubuga JB, et al. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health service use in sub-Saharan Africa. Public Health Action 2022; 12(1):34-39. doi:10.5588/pha.21.0073 [DOI:10.5588/pha.21.0073]
17. Fuertes V, Monclús E, Agulló A. Current impact of Covid-19 pandemic on Spanish plastic surgery departments: a multi-center report. Eur J Plast Surg 2020; 43(4):483-490. doi:10.1007/s00238-020-01686-0 [DOI:10.1007/s00238-020-01686-0]
18. Khashaba H, Ng L, Osmani O, Chalmers R. COVID-19 and plastic surgery: a UK plastic surgery unit experience. Eur J Plast Surg 2020; 43(6):867-870. doi:10.1007/s00238-020-01703-2 [DOI:10.1007/s00238-020-01703-2]
19. Chellamuthu A, Kumar JS, Ramesh BA. Impact of COVID -19 Pandemic on Plastic Surgery Practices in a Tertiary Care Set Up in Southern India. Niger J Clin Pract 2021; 24(10):1558-1564. doi:10.4103/njcp.njcp_80_21 [DOI:10.4103/njcp.njcp_80_21]
20. Søreide K, Hallet J, Matthews JB, et al. Immediate and long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on delivery of surgical services. Br J Surg 2020; 107(10):1250-1261. doi:10.1002/bjs.11670 [DOI:10.1002/bjs.11670]
21. Paprottka FJ, Rolfes SB, Richter DF, Kaye KO. COVID-19 Pandemic: Evaluation of Socio-Economic Impact on Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Providers. Aesthetic Plast Surg 2021; 45(4):1877-1887. doi:10.1007/s00266-021-02130-9 [DOI:10.1007/s00266-021-02130-9]
22. Al-Mousawi AM, Mecott-Rivera GA, Jeschke MG, Herndon DN. Burn teams and burn centers: the importance of a comprehensive team approach to burn care. Clin Plast Surg 2009; 36(4):547-554. doi:10.1016/j.cps.2009.05.015 [DOI:10.1016/j.cps.2009.05.015]
23. Ali SR, Dobbs TD, Whitaker IS. Webinars in plastic and reconstructive surgery training - a review of the current landscape during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Plast Reconstr Aesthetic Surg JPRAS 2020; 73(7):1357-1404. doi:10.1016/j.bjps.2020.05.038 [DOI:10.1016/j.bjps.2020.05.038]
24. Long C, Meyers N, Nyoni T, Sivaraj D, Muguti GI, Chang J. A new model for educational programming in global health emerges during COVID-19. J Glob Health 2021; 11:03034. doi:10.7189/jogh.11.03034 [DOI:10.7189/jogh.11.03034]
25. Hendriks TCC, Botman M, Rahmee CNS, et al. Impact of short-term reconstructive surgical missions: a systematic review. BMJ Glob Health 2019; 4(2):e001176. doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2018-001176 [DOI:10.1136/bmjgh-2018-001176]
26. Honeyman CS, Patel V, Bakhiet A, et al. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on international reconstructive collaborations in Africa. Eur J Plast Surg 2022; 45(3):469-474. doi:10.1007/s00238-021-01892-4 [DOI:10.1007/s00238-021-01892-4]
27. Honeyman C, Patel V, Almas F, Bradley D, Martin D, McGurk M. Short-term surgical missions to resource-limited settings in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 2021; 74(3):644-710. doi:10.1016/j.bjps.2020.08.048 [DOI:10.1016/j.bjps.2020.08.048]
28. Fincham JE. Response Rates and Responsiveness for Surveys, Standards, and the Journal. Am J Pharm Educ 2008;72(2):43. [DOI:10.5688/aj720243]
29. Meyer VM, Benjamens S, Moumni ME, Lange JFM, Pol RA. Global Overview of Response Rates in Patient and Health Care Professional Surveys in Surgery: A Systematic Review. Ann Surg 2022;275(1):e75-e81. doi:10.1097/SLA.0000000000004078 [DOI:10.1097/SLA.0000000000004078]
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
