Esther Anne Chin (our MGSC alumni) and Steven Arrowsmith have recently published a scoping review on training and capacity building in obstetric fistula repair. For more info, click on the link.
Abstract
Background
An ongoing barrier to sustainable obstetric fistula (OF) care is the lack of trained fistula surgeons. Despite a standardized training curriculum, data regarding OF repair training remain limited.
Objectives
To assess the availability of literature on the case numbers or training duration required for OF repair competency and whether these data are stratified by trainee background or repair complexity.
Search Strategy
A systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, and OVID Global Health electronic databases and gray literature.
Selection Criteria
All English sources from all years from low- and middle-income and high-income countries were eligible. Identified titles and abstracts were screened and full-text articles were reviewed.
Data collection and analysis
Data collection and analysis included a descriptive sum-mary organized by training case numbers, training duration, trainee background, and repair complexity.
Results
Of the 405 sources retrieved, 24 were included in the study. The only con-crete recommendations were in the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2022 Fistula Surgery Training Manual, which proposes 50 to 100 repairs (Level 1), 200 to 300 repairs (Level 2), and trainer discretion for Level 3 competency.
Conclusions
More case- or time- based data, particularly if stratified by trainee back-ground and repair complexity, would be useful at the individual, institutional, and policy level for fistula care implementation or expansion.
Keywords
Scapacity building, fistula, obstetric, surgery, training, vesicovaginal