Dataset Information

Bidirectional needs assessment of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery short-term surgical trips to Ethiopia and Kenya.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To create an otolaryngology-specific needs assessment tool for short-term global surgical trips and to describe our findings from its implementation.

Methods

Surveys 1 and 2 were developed based on a literature review and disseminated to Low-Middle Income (LMIC) hosting institutions in Kenya and Ethiopia and to High-Income surgical trip participants (HIC), respectively. Respondents were otolaryngologists identified online, through professional organizations, and by word-of-mouth, who had participated in a surgical trip of <4 weeks.

Results

HIC and LMIC respondents shared similar goals of expanding host surgical skills through education and training while building sustainable partnerships. Discrepancies were identified between LMIC desired surgical skills and supply needs and HIC current practices. Microvascular reconstruction (17.6%), advanced otologic surgery (17.6%), and FESS (14.7%) were most desired skills and high-demand equipment needs were FESS sets (89%), endoscopes (78%), and surgical drills (56%). Frequently taught techniques included advanced otologic surgery (36.6%), congenital anomaly surgery (14.6%), and FESS (14.6%) with the largest gap between LMIC-need and HIC-offerings being in microvascular reconstruction (17.6% vs. 0%). We also highlight the discrepancy in expectations of responsibility for trip logistics, research, and patient follow-up.

Conclusion

We created and implemented the first otolaryngology-specific needs assessment tool in the literature. With its implementation in Ethiopia and Kenya, we were able to identify unmet needs as well as attitudes and perceptions of LMIC and HIC participants. This tool may be adapted and utilized to assess specific needs, resources, and goals of both host and visiting teams to facilitate successful global partnerships.

Level of evidence

Level VI.

SUBMITTER: Chweya CM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9948567 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Bidirectional needs assessment of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery short-term surgical trips to Ethiopia and Kenya.

Chweya Cynthia M CM Ryder C Yoonhee CY Fei-Zhang David J DJ Green Katerina J KJ Zemene Yilkal Y Okerosi Samuel S Wiedermann Joshua P JP

Laryngoscope investigative otolaryngology 20230125 1

<h4>Objectives</h4>To create an otolaryngology-specific needs assessment tool for short-term global surgical trips and to describe our findings from its implementation.<h4>Methods</h4>Surveys 1 and 2 were developed based on a literature review and disseminated to Low-Middle Income (LMIC) hosting institutions in Kenya and Ethiopia and to High-Income surgical trip participants (HIC), respectively. Respondents were otolaryngologists identified online, through professional organizations, and by word ...[more]

PMID: 36846413

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Project description:BackgroundPrescription opioid abuse has become a major issue across the world and especially in North America. Canada has the second highest number of opioid prescriptions per capita in the world, second only to the United States, with numbers continuing to rise in recent years. Surgeons play a critical role in this discussion as they are responsible for the management of post-operative pain in their patients. The objective of this study is to evaluate the opioid prescribing practices of Otolaryngologists-Head and Neck Surgeons in Canada and determine factors that may influence these practices.MethodsThe online survey was distributed to members of the Canadian Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Questions surveyed the respondents' demographics and opioid prescribing practices for common pediatric and adult elective surgeries.ResultsThe survey was sent to 670 surgeons and trainees and 121 responses were received (18%). There was representation across all subspecialties with a mix of community and academic surgeons. The most commonly prescribed opioid was Codeine/Acetaminophen, 48.2% (n = 53), in the adult population, and Morphine, 47.1% (n = 41), in the pediatric population. The median total oral morphine equivalents prescribed across all adult surgeries was 123.75 mg (24.75 doses). The surgery with the highest oral morphine equivalents prescribed was tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy for both adult and pediatric patients, with a median of 150 mg (30 doses) for adults and 4.5 mg/kg (23 doses) for pediatrics. Gender, training years, year in residency, or reported level of conservatism did not predict the dose prescribed to either adult or pediatric patients. Due to the relatively low response rate, the generalizability of these results is unclear.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates a wide variability in opioid prescriptions across procedures and within each individual procedure. This variability reflects the lack of guidelines available for post-operative opioid prescribing and suggests that some Otolaryngologists may be prescribing higher doses of opioids than required. Opportunities for improving patient safety and resource stewardship regarding optimal prescribing practices should be explored.

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Dataset Information

Bidirectional needs assessment of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery short-term surgical trips to Ethiopia and Kenya.

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Level of evidence

Publications

Bidirectional needs assessment of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery short-term surgical trips to Ethiopia and Kenya.

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