Annually, 5 million essential cases not performed due to inadequate personnel
In Africa, 1700% increase in workforce is needed
Tanzania, w/ population of 58 million, has one accredited neurosurgery training program
Train forward model
One to one long term mentorship
Heavy initial investment
Mentee becomes the mentor
Back to Back Model
Long term pairing
Rotating presence
Resource intensive throughout
Haydom Hospital, Tanzania
Train forward model
04.2005 - 02.2011
6 months dedicated trainaing
6 months dedicated to “how to teach”
1-2 week top-ups every 6-12 months
Bugando Hospital, Tanzania
Back to back model
01.2008 - 03.2013
Colorado, Brigham, MUSC, FIENS, Barrow
3.5 yr period - 26 trips, 413 training days, $239,518 USD per yr
Variables
Demographics (age, gender)
Total procedures
Procedure type
Complication counts
Complication type
Severe complications = death or re-operation
Train forward method of teaching
Complete data from April 2005 to February 2011
| variable | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demographics | |||||||
| Age mean (SD) | 21.2 / 23.6 | 22.8 / 28.3 | 16.9 / 25.6 | 19.9 / 24.8 | 30.2 / 28.8 | 28.7 / 28.4 | 19.7 / 28.5 |
| Male N(%) | 13 / 72 | 38 / 79 | 28 / 44 | 52 / 63 | 47 / 59 | 51 / 70 | 18 / 75 |
| Clinical volumes | |||||||
| Total Procedures | 18 | 54 | 74 | 94 | 98 | 80 | 27 |
| Total Complications (%) | 7 / 39 | 25 / 46 | 35 / 47 | 27 / 29 | 29 / 30 | 26 / 32 | 11 / 41 |
| VP Shunt | 1 | 7 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 6 |
| Burr Hole Abscess | 5 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 15 | 17 | 6 |
| Spina Bifida Repair | 5 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 6 | 14 | 5 |
| Other | 2 | 6 | 15 | 17 | 13 | 1 | 2 |
| Craniotomy Evac | 2 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 7 | 4 | 2 |
Back to back method of teaching
Complete data from January 2008 to March 2013
| variable | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demographics | |||||
| Age mean (SD) | 5.1 / 11.9 | 3.7 / 10.3 | 4.7 / 11.9 | 4.5 / 13.2 | 9.7 / 17.8 |
| Male N(%) | 85 / 59 | 94 / 53 | 116 / 56 | 135 / 57 | 221 / 66 |
| Clinical volumes | |||||
| Total Procedures | 148 | 180 | 216 | 243 | 357 |
| Total Complications (%) | 42 / 28 | 31 / 17 | 55 / 25 | 74 / 30 | 68 / 19 |
| VP Shunt | 79 | 89 | 122 | 129 | 140 |
| Spina Bifida Repair | 19 | 32 | 31 | 47 | 58 |
| Shunt Revision | 8 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 19 |
| Craniotomy | 14 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 19 |
| Bone Elevation | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 12 |
| 02/2005 - 12/2010 | 01/2008 - 12/2012 | |
|---|---|---|
| Demographics | ||
| Age mean (SD) | 23.5 / 27.4 | 6.3 / 14.4 |
| Male N(%) | 247 / 64 | 678 / 60 |
| Clinical volumes | ||
| Total Procedures | 445 | 1183 |
| Total Complications | 160 | 278 |
| VP Shunt | 78 | 575 |
| Spina Bifida Repair | 59 | 191 |
Significant heterogeneity in population limits direct comparison
Time series data lends itself to ITS, difference in difference, regression discontinuity analyses
Both methods increased volume
Train forward did so with less overall investment
Barrow Global will use both methods to training