Decentralization and Regionalization of Surgical Care: A Review of Evidence for the Optimal Distribution of Surgical Services in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

ABSTRACT:

Background

While recommendations for the optimal distribution of surgical services in high-income countries (HICs) exist, it is unclear how these translate to resource-limited settings. Given the significant shortage and maldistribution of surgical workforce and infrastructure in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the optimal role of decentralization versus regionalization (centralization) of surgical care is unknown. The aim of this study is to review evidence around interventions aimed at redistributing surgical services in LMICs, to guide recommendations for the ideal organization of surgical services.

Methods

A narrative-based literature review was conducted to answer this question. Studies published in English between 1997 and 2017 in PubMed, describing inte

SUBMITTER: Iverson KR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6815989 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature