A model for surgical volunteerism: a qualitative study based in Cambodia

Abstract

Medical volunteerism continues to attract many doctors from high-income nations to low- or middle-income countries (LMIC). In spite of the wealth of positive experiences of these volunteers documented in the literature, there is little evidence concerning the impact and effectiveness of their activity. We documented our model of five-year experience in the delivery of hand surgery in Cambodia, attempting a qualitative approach with attempts to understand the perceptions of local and volunteer surgeons. We conducted independent qualitative interviews with five visiting and 12 Cambodian surgeons who participated in our community-based and outcome-oriented hand surgery training programme between 2013 and 2015. Data were coded and analysed using a content analysis method and then individually grouped into categories; software was used to generate frequencies and quotations of codes. Our results highlighted factors contributing to the success of the medical volunteering programme, to its success, with suggestions for sustainability, motivation and commitment to such a programme. A clearly defined strategy by the volunteer group and a commitment to time and resources by both partners were found to be effective.

Systematic review of low-income and middle-income country perceptions of visiting surgical teams from high-income countries

“…Twenty-five studies (83%) described advantages with visiting surgical teams,17 19–42 further subgrouped into skills improvement, immediate clinical patient care, system-level strengthening, academic and career benefits and broader collaboration opportunities.…”

Big Data Analysis of a Dedicated YouTube Channel as an Open Educational Resource in Hand Surgery

“…This dedicated channel is a valuable repository for video OERs and can be used as a standalone or as part of a blended teaching activity in hand surgery. It is useful in surgical training in low resource countries [38]. Content creators can use these resources as legitimate scholarship assets and as part of the creators' professional appraisal and advancement.…”

Hand Surgery in Cambodia

“…In the same study by Cheok et al, 15 the dedicated, international faculty of accredited hand surgeons were committed to sustained involvement with the center in Cambodia. They made biannual trips to ensure capacity building and sustainability of the project and a concerted effort to involve the local surgeons, medical staff, and patients to gain a comprehensive understanding of the impact of their mission.…”

“…14 Grimes and Lane 14 advocated that the visiting surgeons should focus on training the local surgeons and other medical staff involved in patient care. Cheok et al 15 documented a model in surgical volunteerism in Cambodia to train the local surgeons in hand surgery using a targeted curriculum, which is informed by the local resources and the health needs of the community, focusing on context-appropriate skills and various teaching programs. The local surgeons continue to be supported by the visiting surgeons in their absence via digital/mobile technology.…”