Improving patient care by virtual case discussion between plastic surgeons and residents of Uganda and the Netherlands.

INTRODUCTION: Traditional on-site missions of plastic surgeons from "high-income countries" in "low- and middle-income countries" are often limited in time and lack proper follow-up. Regular digital collaboration could lead to a more impactful and durable exchange of knowledge for plastic surgeons and residents in both settings. AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the satisfaction of the first twelve months of weekly digital meetings, explore advantages/disadvantages, and to provide tools for similar initiatives. METHODS: Weekly meetings started from August 2021. An encrypted digital connection allowed residents and plastic surgeons from Uganda and the Netherlands to discuss cases for educational purposes, where treatment options were considered. After twelve months, a survey was sent to participants from both countries to indicate the meetings' strengths, weaknesses, and possible improvements. RESULTS: A total of 18 participants responded to the questionnaire (ten plastic surgeons, six residents, and two researchers). The strengths of the meetings were the accessibility of the meetings, knowledge exchange and practice for residents' final exams. Possible improvements included having a clear format for patient discussion, a session moderator and better internet connectivity. Moreover, a database to assess the impact of the given intervention on the patient cases by evaluating postoperatively (e.g. three months), could further improve clinical care. CONCLUSIONS: Virtual patient discussions subjectively contributed to medical education at both locations. Improved digital infrastructure and a collaborative database could further maximize learning capacity. Furthermore, digital proctoring is a promising way to establish sustainable collaborations between high- and low-resource countries.

Smart surgical glasses for orofacial cleft surgery training in high- and low-income countries: A proof of concept.

INTRODUCTION: The coronavirus 2019 pandemic urged us to find alternatives for education through remote proctoring and international surgical collaborations among high-, middle-, and low-income countries. Smart surgical glasses are promising for remote surgical education and international surgical collaborations. AIMS: This study aimed to assess the usability of smart surgical glasses during cleft surgery and explore their potential in remote surgical education and collaboration. METHODS: Six plastic surgical cases were randomly selected and recorded using the RODS&CONES glasses in 4K (3840 × 2160p). A 23-point questionnaire was sent to one plastic surgeon, one plastic surgery resident, and eight doctors who were not trained to critically appraise the video and audio quality of the smart surgical glasses and their applicability for remote surgical education. RESULTS: The participants indicated that the smart glasses had several significant advantages over conventional on-site education, such as facilitating a better view of the surgical field and providing possibilities for remote interaction. The audio quality was considered excellent. The main limitations were image stabilization issues and loss of video connection due to weak wireless fidelity. CONCLUSIONS: All participants appreciated the use of smart glasses for remote education and considered them a promising tool for enhancing the quality of surgical education. The glasses can enable remote assistance and education of local surgical residents and may facilitate sustainable surgical collaborations among high-, middle-, and low-income countries.

Bed net related burns at Mulago national referral hospital, Uganda: a case series report.

BACKGROUND: Insecticide-treated bed nets are essential tools to prevent malaria in endemic regions, however, increasing trends in bed net related burns in Kampala, Uganda are concerning. METHODS: Data were collected from burns unit admission records at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala, Uganda for the years 2008-2011 inclusive. Retrospective analyses on the characteristics of patients admitted with bed net related burns within this period were conducted. RESULTS: A total of 45 patients were admitted to the burns unit with bed net related burns during the study period. Most burns occurred among individuals who were 0-1 years old (33.3%) and 26-35 years old (24.2%) and the majority were male (71%). Bed net related burns at Mulago Hospital are severe, as evidenced by the fact that 15 of 45 patients died (crude mortality rate=33%) and that 26 patients (57.8%) had total body surface area burn percentages that were greater than 20%. The average length of stay in hospital for patients with bed net related burns was 30.4 days. CONCLUSION: Organizations responsible for malaria prevention should consider incorporating fire and burn prevention awareness, strategies and training into their bed net distribution programs.