Extending Surgical Care Beyond Your Training Comfort Zone
- Breakout Session
- Faith Hall 301 B/G
- March 23 2018 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
- 1 Hour CE
Not every medical missionary, whether a surgeon or non-surgeon, readily accepts the challenge to tackle surgical cases that fall outside that physician or dentist’s formal training. On the other hand, there are doctors who pursue developing world medicine as missionaries because of the expectation that they will be able to practice surgery involving the “skin and its contents.” How aggressive should any medical missionary be in tackling procedures that are necessary, possibly even urgent or emergent, whether lifesaving or not? This talk, given by two veteran missionary surgeons from Tenwek Hospital, one from an academic background and the other from a community training program, will cover principles to be considered when faced with such cases in different medical missionary hospital settings. Treating patients and their families with respect and full disclosure of surgeon and institutional experience while understanding the financial and logistical challenges of referral to specialists, usually at great distance from the mission hospital, are critical elements for medical missionaries. We will discuss options for seeking expert opinion and consultation to strengthen the quality of care in even the most rural surgical setting.
Objectives
1. Discuss the usual mix of surgical cases in a rural, developing world mission hospital.
2. Identify the key issues involved in a decision for any medical missionary performing new surgical procedures for which they have not received formal training within their institution versus referral to a larger facility or specialist.
3. Describe options for seeking specialty consultation to assist in making referral or intervention decisions for surgery.
4. List the challenges or barriers faced by patients in pursuing specialty care in the developing world.
