Benefits of an International Volunteer Experience in Residency Training
- PDF / 231,403 Bytes
- 6 Pages / 595.276 x 790.866 pts Page_size
- 48 Downloads / 182 Views
GLOBAL HEALTH (K MCCAMMON, SECTION EDITOR)
Benefits of an International Volunteer Experience in Residency Training Rachel Sosland 1 & Joseph A. Smith 2
# Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2020
Abstract Purpose of Review In this article, we review the literature describing the benefit of international surgical volunteerism on resident training. Recent Findings Review of recent data demonstrates a resident benefit by decreasing burnout and improving clinical skill, costcontainment strategies, and personal and professional development. There is also a demonstrable benefit to institutions by way of improved resident recruitment and additional philanthropic funding sources. Finally, benefits to healthcare systems have been documented by way of “reverse innovation” and increased healthcare worker productivity. Summary We provide data to support that international volunteerism reaches beyond the patients and providers at the individual level to also provide domestic benefit to practices, institutions, and the healthcare system as well. Keywords Global health . Global surgery . Residency training . Surgical education . International surgery, volunteerism
Introduction Surgery is a necessary component of any national health system regardless of the level of development. It reduces premature death and disability and boosts welfare and economic productivity—overall, improving long-term development [1]. In 2010, an estimated 16.9 million lives were lost from conditions needing surgical care, representing 32.9% of the global deaths—significantly more than deaths from tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV/AIDS combined [2]. According to the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery, five billion people are without access to safe and affordable care, and in low-income and low-middle-income countries (LMIC), nine out of ten people cannot access basic surgical care. Furthermore, a third This article is part of the Topical Collection on Global Health * Rachel Sosland [email protected] Joseph A. Smith [email protected] 1
Department of Urology, Houston Methodist Hospital, Attn: Rachel Sosland, M.D., 6560 Fannin St Suite 2100, Houston, TX 77030, USA
2
Department of Urology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
of the world’s population lives in the poorest countries; however, only 6% of procedures are performed in these countries each year [1]. While these statistics illustrate a growing demand for the expansion of global surgical services, there is fortunately a desire to provide the supply. The number of institutions offering international surgical electives has risen from 3 in 2000 to 86 in 2015 [3, 4]. Additionally, collaborations such as the Global Philanthropic Committee (GPC), which supports global initiatives to improve urologic care in LMIC, and International Volunteers in Urology (IVUmed) have worked to build partnerships aimed at meeting these needs. In a survey conducted by the GPC, almost 50% of respondents reported participation in a urologic philanthropic activity in the prior 10 years.
Data Loading...
