In‐Country Training by the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons: An Initiative that has Aided Surgeon Retention and Distribution in Ghana

Background: Radiology subspecialisation is well-established in much of Europe, North America, and Australasia. It is a natural evolution of the radiology speciality catalysed by multiple factors.Objectives: The aim of this article is to analyse and provide an overview of the current status of radiology subspecialisation in African countries.Methods: We reviewed English-language articles, reports, and other documents on radiology specialisation and subspecialisation in Africa.Results: There are 54 sovereign countries in Africa (discounting disputed territories). Eighteen African countries with well-established radiology residency training were assessed for the availability of formal subspecialisation training locally. Eight (Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Tunisia) out of the 18 countries have local subspecialist training programmes. Data and/or information on subspecialisation were unavailable for three (Algeria, Libya, and Senegal) of the 18 countries. Paediatric Radiology (Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tunisia) and Interventional Radiology (Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania) were the most frequently available subspecialist training programmes. Except Tanzania, all the countries with subspecialisation training programmes have ≥ 100 radiologists in their workforce.Conclusion: There is limited availability of subspecialist radiology training programmes in African countries. Alternative models of subspecialist radiology training are suggested to address this deficit.

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“…If subspecialisation programmes are established locally, the attrition of African radiologists might be mitigated. 66 , 67 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radiology subspecialisation in Africa: A review of the current status

Iyawe

Idowu²,

Omoleye³

2021

S. Afr. j. radiol.

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“…The Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons' in-country training of surgeons has contributed in increasing the numbers of surgeons in Ghana. 24 However, there were only nine actively practicing pediatric surgeons in the country, leading to a ratio of one pediatric surgeon to 1,167,450 children <15 years. Pediatric surgery training in Ghana involves an additional 3-year fellowship following the 3-year basic surgery postgraduate training.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Nationwide Enumeration of Operations Performed for Pediatric Patients in Ghana

et al. 2020

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Introduction Currently, there are no existing benchmarks for evaluating a nation's pediatric surgical capacity in terms of met and unmet needs. Materials and Methods Data on pediatric operations performed from 2014 to 2015 were obtained from a representative sample of hospitals in Ghana, then scaled up for national estimates. Operations were categorized as “essential” (most cost-effective, highest population impact) as designated by the World Bank's Disease Control Priorities versus “other.” Estimates were then compared with pediatric operation rates in New Zealand to determine unmet pediatric surgery need in Ghana. Results A total of 29,884 operations were performed for children <15 years, representing an annual operation rate of 284/100,000 (95% uncertainty interval: 205–364). Essential procedures constituted 66% of all pediatric operations; 12,397 (63%) were performed at district hospitals. General surgery (8,808; 29%) and trauma (6,302; 21%) operations were most common. Operations for congenital conditions were few (826; 2.8%). Tertiary hospitals performed majority (55%) of operations outside of the essential category. Compared with the New Zealand benchmark (3,806 operations/100,000 children <15 years), Ghana is meeting only 7% of its pediatric surgical needs. Conclusion Ghana has a large unmet need for pediatric surgical care. Pediatric-specific benchmarking is needed to guide surgical capacity efforts in low- and middle-income country healthcare systems.

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“…They can also choose to have further training for an additional 2-3 years after which they are awarded with a fellowship certificate in their preferred sub-specialty. The present study was nested in a larger study that sought to assess the impact of GCPS in-country training of surgeons (17).…”

Section: Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Antibiotics for Groin Hernia Repair According to Evidence-Based Guidelines: Time for Action in Ghana

Gyedu

Katz

Agbedinu

et al. 2019

Journal of Surgical Research

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Introduction-Groin hernia repairs (GHR), though classified as clean surgeries, are associated with varying rates of surgical site infections (SSI). We assessed the practices of surgeons in Ghana regarding antibiotic use for GHR in comparison to evidence-based international guidelines (EBIG).Methods-We interviewed surgeons trained by the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (GCPS), from inception (2003) through 2016, about their use of antibiotics for GHR. We defined

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In‐Country Training by the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons: An Initiative that has Aided Surgeon Retention and Distribution in Ghana

Cited by 9 publications

References 27 publications

Radiology subspecialisation in Africa: A review of the current status

Radiology subspecialisation in Africa: A review of the current status

A Nationwide Enumeration of Operations Performed for Pediatric Patients in Ghana

Antibiotics for Groin Hernia Repair According to Evidence-Based Guidelines: Time for Action in Ghana

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