Bridging the gap: Creating a self-sustaining neurosurgical residency program in Haiti

Ashish H. Shah, Ernest Barthélemy, Yudy Lafortune, Joanna Gernsback, Ariel Henry, Barth Green, John Ragheb

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

Given Haiti's longstanding socioeconomic burden and recent environmental and epidemiological catastrophes, the capacity for neurosurgery within Haiti has been limited, and outcomes for patients with neurosurgical conditions have remained poor. With few formally trained neurosurgeons (4) in a country of 10.5 million inhabitants, there is a significant need for the development of formal structured neurosurgical training. To mitigate the lack of neurosurgical care within Haiti, the authors established the first neurosurgical residency program within the country by creating an integrated model that uniquely fortifies existing Haitian neurosurgery with government sponsorship (Haitian Ministry of Health and National Medical School) and continual foreign support. By incorporating web-based learning modules, online assessments, teleconferences, and visiting professorships, the residency aims to train neurosurgeons over the course of 3-5 years to meet the healthcare needs of the nation. Although in its infancy, this model aims to facilitate neurosurgical capacity building by ultimately creating a self-sustaining residency program.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numberE4
JournalNeurosurgical focus
Volume45
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Global health
  • Haiti
  • Neurosurgery
  • Sustainable
  • Teaching

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Clinical Neurology

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