Special Interest

Abstract Submission

Global Surgical Volunteerism: Identification of Barriers to Surgical and Anesthesia Provider Involvement (.25 Class A CE)

Speaker(s)

• 

  Christina Congdon, BS, BA, RN

  Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist
  Albany Medical College
  Waterville, NY

Collaboration between surgical providers from high-income countries (HICs) and those from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) has increased over the past 25 years. However, availability, accessibility and participation in the provision of surgical services remains inconsistent. Potentially, there are significant barriers that exist, preventing qualified surgical care teams and anesthesia providers from participating in global work. Understanding these barriers and constructing resolutions could serve to increase the global surgical workforce and support collaboration.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand existing global disparities in access to basic surgical and anesthesia services, and review recommendations for overcoming these disparities issued by the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery and the World Health Organization.
• Understand common barriers identified by surgical and anesthesia providers in high income countries to participation in global health work.
• Identify and discuss possible methods to overcoming barriers.