Surgical Care in Somalia: A Task Shifting Model
Author Information
Author(s): Kathryn M. Chu, Nathan P. Ford, Miguel Trelles
Primary Institution: Médecins sans Frontières
Hypothesis
Can safe surgical practices be maintained in Somalia through task shifting to local medical staff?
Conclusion
Task shifting allowed for safe surgical practices in Somalia despite the absence of fully trained surgeons and anesthesiologists.
Supporting Evidence
- 2086 operations were performed on 1602 patients over three years.
- Operative mortality was 0.5%, not higher when local staff provided care.
- Trauma accounted for 76% of all surgical cases.
Takeaway
In Somalia, local doctors and nurses can perform surgeries safely even without fully trained surgeons, thanks to special training and support.
Methodology
Data was collected on surgical interventions performed between October 2006 and December 2009, focusing on patient demographics and surgical outcomes.
Potential Biases
Limited data collection and potential underreporting of complications due to the unstable environment.
Limitations
The study lacks regular oversight by fully trained surgeons and anesthesiologists due to security constraints.
Participant Demographics
Majority of patients were male (65%) with a median age of 22; 6% were under 5 years old.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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