Pathology Engagement in Global Health: Exploring Opportunities to Get Involved

Razzano, Dana; Hall, Allison; Gardner, Jerad M.; Jiang, Xiaoyin Sara

doi:10.5858/arpa.2018-0280-ed

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…If any reader is interested in learning more about opportunities to get involved in global health activities, the authors of this article encourage referring to our previously published article on this topic, ''Pathology Engagement in Global Health: Exploring Opportunities to Get Involved,'' as well as our frequently updated virtual resource list online (link in the attached reference). 14,19…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…13 Opportunities to participate are expanding, both within pathology organizations and academic settings, as well as individual-initiated partnerships. 14 However, the involvement of the pathology community in global health initiatives is far from mainstream despite the recent steps forward. 15 Although there is an anecdotal sense that interest is increasing and the importance of involvement is known, the barriers to participation that continue to prevent wide acceptance and participation are uncertain.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Pathology Engagement in Global Health: Survey Data of Global Pathology Interest and Barriers

Razzano

Gardner

Hall

et al. 2022

Archives of Pathology &Amp; Laboratory Medicine

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Context.— Although pathology is essential to almost every practice in medicine, laboratory medicine professionals do not routinely volunteer in global health practice. Objective.— To gather information about the experience and interest levels of the pathology community in global health work. Design.— Data were analyzed from an 8-question, online, anonymous survey, directed toward anyone working in the field of pathology and laboratory medicine. The survey collected data from respondents on their interest level in participating in global health pathology, potential barriers to participation, and the types of volunteer opportunities that would be of interest. Results.— A total 267 people participated in the survey, of whom 142 (53%) were American citizens. One hundred seventy (64%) indicated that they had never volunteered in a low-resource setting. The majority of respondents (237; 89%) indicated interest in global pathology opportunities. More than half of the 267 respondents indicated interest in short-term trips (136; 51%), digital education opportunities (138; 52%), and reviewing slides/cases digitally (160; 60%). Lack of time to travel and lack of financial support were the 2 most cited reasons for lack of participation. One hundred nine respondents (41%) indicated that they were “willing and able, but do not know where to start.” Conclusions.— Our data demonstrate that laboratory medicine professionals are highly interested in global pathology efforts, but factors such as lack of time, lack of funding, and lack of knowledge of potential volunteer opportunities are barriers to participation. A significant number of respondents were willing and able to participate, indicating that pathology and laboratory medicine professionals may be an untapped resource for global health volunteers.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

Pathology Engagement in Global Health: Survey Data of Global Pathology Interest and Barriers

Razzano

Gardner

Hall

et al. 2022

Archives of Pathology &Amp; Laboratory Medicine

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…In addition to these training and research programs, there are ongoing efforts to correct other global resource disparities. One such type of work, notably performed by the American Society of Clinical Pathology, seeks to improve anatomic pathology quality and availability . Additionally, several initiatives serve to increase delivery of anticancer drugs to low‐ and middle‐income countries.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

POETIC (Program for Enhanced Training in Cancer): An Initial Experience of Supporting Capacity Building for Oncology Training in Sub-Saharan Africa

et al. 2019

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Background Sub‐Saharan Africa is simultaneously facing a rising incidence of cancer and a dearth of medical professionals because of insufficient training numbers and emigration, creating a growing shortage of cancer care. To combat this, Massachusetts General Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center partnered with institutions in South Africa, Tanzania, and Rwanda to develop a fellowship exchange program to supplement the training of African oncologists practicing in their home countries. Methods In its initial year, 2018, the Program for Enhanced Training in Cancer (POETIC) hosted a pilot cohort of seven fellows for 3‐week observerships in their areas of interest. Researchers distributed questionnaires for program evaluation to participants prior to arrival and upon departure; additionally, three participated in semistructured interviews. Results Five themes emerged from the qualitative data: expectations of POETIC, differences between oncology in the U.S. and in sub‐Saharan Africa, positive elements of the program, areas for improvement, and potential impact. Fellows identified several elements of Western health care that will inform their practice: patient‐centered care; clinical trials; and collaboration among medical, radiation, and surgical oncologists. From the quantitative data, feedback was primarily around logistical areas for improvement. Conclusion POETIC was found to be feasible and valuable. The results from the pilot year justify the program's continuation in hopes of strengthening global health partnerships to support oncology training in Africa. One weakness is the small number of fellows, which will limit the impact of the study and the relevance of its conclusions. Future research will report on the expansion of the program and follow‐up with former participants. Implications for Practice This work presents a novel model for fellowship exchange between lower‐ and higher‐resourced areas. The program is a short‐term observership with tumor boards and didactic teaching sessions incorporated. By attracting oncologists who aim to practice in their home countries, it facilitates international collaboration without contributing to the preexisting lack of medical professionals in low‐ and middle‐income countries.

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“…Particularly as the global burden of cancer is rising in prominence and global health initiatives reflect this focus on improving cancer care, (53) the role of pathologists is becoming increasingly more relevant. Pathologists are engaged in global health in a range of manners, including but not limited to engaging in more traditional "on the ground" capacity-building projects to virtual education sessions like the Africa Calls teleconferences that have emphasized camaraderie and educational exchange for 20 years, and virtual global tumor boards (54). Indeed, one of the authors (D.A.K.)…”

Section: Social Media For Pathologists In High-income Countriesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Influence of Social Media in Promoting Knowledge Acquisition and Pathology Excellence in Nigeria

et al. 2022

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The use of social media has evolved from platforms designed primarily for social connection and news sharing to include vibrant virtual academic environments. These platforms allow pathologists from across the globe to interact, exchange knowledge, and collaborate. Pathology in Nigeria, as in much of Africa, faces severe knowledge and practice gaps, with a lack of supporting modern laboratory infrastructure. Social media represents a potentially highly valuable avenue to help address some of these deficiencies. In this Perspective piece, we highlight our experience with the increasing role of social media in providing quality medical education in pathology globally, with an emphasis on how it bridges many of these gaps in Nigeria. Social media sites serve as sources of readily accessible, free, high-quality information to pathologists and trainees through academic discussions, quizzes, journal clubs, and informal consultations. They also provide opportunities for professional networking and research collaborations. Despite the availability and wide reach of these platforms, social media as a tool for advancement of knowledge in pathology is still undersubscribed in this part of the world. Improving awareness of and support for these tools will ideally help mitigate some of the challenges of practicing pathology in low and middle-income settings.

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Pathology Engagement in Global Health: Exploring Opportunities to Get Involved

Cited by 6 publications

References 15 publications

Pathology Engagement in Global Health: Survey Data of Global Pathology Interest and Barriers

Pathology Engagement in Global Health: Survey Data of Global Pathology Interest and Barriers

POETIC (Program for Enhanced Training in Cancer): An Initial Experience of Supporting Capacity Building for Oncology Training in Sub-Saharan Africa

The Influence of Social Media in Promoting Knowledge Acquisition and Pathology Excellence in Nigeria

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