Cancer care workforce in Africa: perspectives from a global survey

Vanderpuye, Verna; Hammad, Nazik; Martei, Yehoda M.; Hopman, Wilma M.; Fundytus, Adam; Sullivan, Richard; Šeruga, Boštjan; Lopes, Gilberto; Sengar, Manju; Brundage, Michael; Booth, Christopher M.

doi:10.1186/s13027-019-0227-8

Cited by 40 publications

(54 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…In SSA, local healthcare providers and medical facilities capable of managing cancer are woefully insufficient. The number of oncologists per country in Africa ranges from zero in Togo, Chad, and Burundi, to 1,500 in Egypt ( 19 ). Ghana has only four clinical oncologists ( 19 ).…”

Section: Relevance Of Oncological Specialties In Sub-saharan Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The number of oncologists per country in Africa ranges from zero in Togo, Chad, and Burundi, to 1,500 in Egypt ( 19 ). Ghana has only four clinical oncologists ( 19 ). The workload is daunting with 25 countries in Africa reporting an incidence of cancer >1,000 per oncologist ( 19 ).…”

Section: Relevance Of Oncological Specialties In Sub-saharan Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ghana has only four clinical oncologists ( 19 ). The workload is daunting with 25 countries in Africa reporting an incidence of cancer >1,000 per oncologist ( 19 ).…”

Section: Relevance Of Oncological Specialties In Sub-saharan Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

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Gynecologic Oncology Sub-Specialty Training in Ghana: A Model for Sustainable Impact on Gynecologic Cancer Care in Sub-Saharan Africa

Erem¹,

Appiah‐Kubi

Konney

et al. 2020

Front. Public Health

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African women have double the risk of dying from cancer than women in high-income countries. In Ghana, most women with gynecological malignancies present with advanced-stage disease when treatment is less effective. Barriers to improved cancer outcomes include the availability of cancer screening, affordability of treatment, and access to gynecologic oncology specialists. In response to a paucity of gynecologic oncology providers, an in-country fellowship training program was established at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in 2013. Historically, Ghanaian resident physicians were sent to other countries for fellowship training and were unlikely to repatriate. The establishment of an in-country training program not only addresses the challenge of “brain drain,” but also builds local capacity in gynecologic oncology education and emphasizes culturally relevant and accessible healthcare. The four-years gynecologic oncology fellowship program at KATH was developed as part of a longitudinal multi-decade partnership between the University of Michigan and academic medical centers in Ghana. The fellowship trains obstetricians and gynecologists to provide subspecialist clinical and surgical care to patients with gynecologic malignancies. Fellows collaborate with the radiation, oncology and pathology departments, participate in monthly inter-institutional tumor board meetings, conduct research, advise on health policy issues, and train subsequent cohorts. This fellowship is representative of emerging twenty-first-century trends in which subspecialty training programs in low-income countries are strengthened by international collaborations. Providing specialized training in gynecologic oncology can help develop and maintain resources that will improve clinical outcomes for women in low-resources settings.

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Section: Relevance Of Oncological Specialties In Sub-saharan Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Relevance Of Oncological Specialties In Sub-saharan Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

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Gynecologic Oncology Sub-Specialty Training in Ghana: A Model for Sustainable Impact on Gynecologic Cancer Care in Sub-Saharan Africa

Erem¹,

Appiah‐Kubi

Konney

et al. 2020

Front. Public Health

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“…Indeed, many practicing African oncologists were required to seek specialty training outside of their home country. 6 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radiation Sciences Education in Africa: An Assessment of Current Training Practices and Evaluation of a High-Yield Course in Radiation Biology and Radiation Physics

Stecklein

Taniguchi

Melancon

et al. 2020

JCO Global Oncology

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PURPOSE Formal education in the radiation sciences is critical for the safe and effective delivery of radiotherapy. Practices and patterns of radiation sciences education and trainee performance in the radiation sciences are poorly described. This study assesses the current state of radiation sciences education in Africa and evaluates a high-yield, on-site educational program in radiation biology and radiation physics for oncology and radiation therapy trainees in Africa. METHODS An anonymous survey was distributed to members of the African Organization for Research and Treatment in Cancer Training Interest Group to assess current attitudes and practices toward radiation sciences education. A 2-week, on-site educational course in radiation biology and radiation physics was conducted at the Cancer Diseases Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. Pre- and postcourse assessments in both disciplines were administered to gauge the effectiveness of an intensive high-yield course in the radiation sciences. RESULTS Significant deficiencies were identified in radiation sciences education, especially in radiation biology. Lack of expert instructors in radiation biology was reported by half of all respondents and was the major contributing factor to deficient education in the radiation sciences. The educational course resulted in marked improvements in radiation biology assessment scores (median pre- and posttest scores, 27% and 55%, respectively; P < .0001) and radiation physics assessment scores (median pre- and posttest scores, 30% and 57.5%, respectively; P < .0001). CONCLUSION Radiation sciences education in African oncology training programs is inadequate. International collaboration between expert radiation biology and radiation physics instructors can address this educational deficiency and improve trainee competence in the foundational radiation sciences that is critical for the safe and effective delivery of radiotherapy.

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“…Some regional and other tertiary institutions perform some surgery and systemic therapy especially for breast cancer. The skilled oncology workforce in Ghana is below average as per many other sub-Saharan African countries [2].…”

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confidence: 89%

COVID-19 and its ramifications for cancer patients in low-resource settings: Ghana as a case study

Kugbey¹,

Ohene-Oti²,

Vanderpuye³

2020

ecancer

Self Cite

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The impact of COVID-19 on healthcare in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) is a major challenge requiring urgent measures. Cancer care in LMICs, including Ghana, is faced with inadequate numbers of skilled healthcare professionals and essential material resources which negatively impacts the quality of healthcare and wellbeing of patients. In the face of COVID-19, cancer patients are likely to be affected in three key ways: access to healthcare, increased financial toxicity and increased mental health burden as a consequence of strict measures being implemented to contain the virus in Ghana, including partial lockdowns and social distancing. Some cultural beliefs regarding COVID-19 and its influence on the health and wellbeing of cancer patients have also been discussed. Measures by the government to lessen the burden on citizens and health workers are highlighted with possible recommendations for improvement in cancer care in Ghana and other LMICs during this pandemic.

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Cancer care workforce in Africa: perspectives from a global survey

Cited by 40 publications

References 22 publications

Gynecologic Oncology Sub-Specialty Training in Ghana: A Model for Sustainable Impact on Gynecologic Cancer Care in Sub-Saharan Africa

Gynecologic Oncology Sub-Specialty Training in Ghana: A Model for Sustainable Impact on Gynecologic Cancer Care in Sub-Saharan Africa

Radiation Sciences Education in Africa: An Assessment of Current Training Practices and Evaluation of a High-Yield Course in Radiation Biology and Radiation Physics

COVID-19 and its ramifications for cancer patients in low-resource settings: Ghana as a case study

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