Bilateral trauma case conferences: an approach to global surgery equity through a virtual education exchange

Abstract

Purpose: With increased interest in international surgical experiences, many residency programs have integrated global surgery into their training curricula. For surgical trainees in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), physical exchange can be costly, and laws in high-income countries (HICs) prevent LMIC trainees from practicing surgery while on visiting rotations. To enrich the educational experience of trainees in both settings, we established a monthly virtual trauma conference between surgery training programs.

Methods: General surgery teams from two public institutions, a public university with two surgical training programs in Kenya and a public university with two level I trauma centers in the United States, meet monthly to discuss complex and interesting trauma patients. A trainee from each institution presents a clinical case vignette and supplements the case with pertinent peer-reviewed literature. The attendees then answer a series of multiple-choice questions like those found on surgery board exams.

Results: Monthly case conferences began in September 2017 with an average of 24 trainees and consultant surgeons. Case discussions serve to stimulate dialogue on patient presentation and management, highlighting cost-conscious, high-quality care and the need to adapt practice patterns to meet resource constraints and provide culturally appropriate care.

Conclusion: Our 5-year experience with this virtual case conference has created a unique and robust surgical education experience for trainees and surgeons who have withstood the effects of the pandemic. These case conferences have not only strengthened the camaraderie between our departments, but also promoted equity in global surgery education and prioritized the learning of trainees from both settings.