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A model for global surgical training and capacity development: the Children’s of Alabama–Viet Nam pediatric neurosurgery partnership

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Abstract

Introduction

Training capable and competent neurosurgeons to work in underserved regions of the world is an essential component of building global neurosurgical capacity. One strategy for achieving this goal is establishing longitudinal partnerships between institutions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and their counterparts in high-income countries (HICs) utilizing a multi-component model. We describe the initial experience of the Children’s of Alabama (COA) Global Surgery Program partnership with multiple Vietnamese neurosurgical centers.

Methods

The training model developed by the COA Global Surgery Program utilizes three complementary and interdependent methods to expand neurosurgical capacity: in-country training, out-of-country training, and ongoing support and mentorship. Multiple Vietnamese hospital systems have participated in the partnership, including three hospitals in Hanoi and one hospital in Ho Chi Minh City.

Results

During the 7 years of the partnership, the COA and Viet Nam teams have collaborated on expanding pediatric neurosurgical care in numerous areas of clinical need including five subspecialized areas of pediatric neurosurgery: cerebrovascular, epilepsy, neuroendoscopy for hydrocephalus management, craniofacial, and neuro-oncology.

Conclusion

Long-term partnerships between academic departments in LMICs and HICs focused on education and training are playing an increasingly important role in scaling up global surgical capacity. We believe that our multi-faceted approach consisting of in-country targeted hands-on training, out-of-country fellowship training at the mentor institution, and ongoing mentorship using telecollaboration and Internet-based tools is a viable and generalizable model for enhancing surgical capacity globally.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Neurosurgery, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

    Faizal A. Haji

  2. Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

    Faizal A. Haji

  3. Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA

    Jacob R. Lepard, Matthew C. Davis, Brandon G. Rocque & James M. Johnston

  4. Division of Neurosurgery, Children’s of Alabama Hospital, Birmingham, AL, USA

    Jacob R. Lepard, Matthew C. Davis, Brandon G. Rocque & James M. Johnston

  5. Department of Neurosurgery, Viet Nam National Cancer Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Nguyen Duc Lien

  6. Department of Neurosurgery, Children’s Hospital #2, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Dang Do Thanh Can

  7. Department of Neurology, Viet Nam National Chrildren’s Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Cao Vu Hung

  8. Department of Neurosurgery, Viet Nam National Children’s Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Le Nam Thang

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  1. Faizal A. Haji
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Haji, F.A., Lepard, J.R., Davis, M.C. et al. A model for global surgical training and capacity development: the Children’s of Alabama–Viet Nam pediatric neurosurgery partnership. Childs Nerv Syst 37, 627–636 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-020-04802-4

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