Experiences and Perceptions of Ophthalmic Simulation-Based Surgical Education in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of surgical education
Abstract
Simulation-based surgical education
(SBSE) can positively impact trainee surgical competence.
However, a detailed qualitative study of the role of simulation
in ophthalmic surgical education has not previously
been conducted.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the experiences of trainee ophthalmologists
and ophthalmic surgeon educators’ use of simulation,
and the perceived challenges in surgical training.
METHODS: A multi-center, multi-country qualitative
study was conducted between October 2017 and August
2020. Trainee ophthalmologists from six training centers
in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) (in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania,
Zimbabwe and South Africa) participated in semi-structured
interviews, before and after an intense simulation
training course in intraocular surgery. Semi-structured
interviews were also conducted with experienced
ophthalmic surgeon educators. Interviews were anonymized,
recorded, transcribed and coded. An inductive,
bottom-up, constant comparative method was used for
thematic analysis.
RESULTS: Twenty-seven trainee ophthalmologists and 12
ophthalmic surgeon educators were included in the study
and interviewed. The benefits and challenges of conventional
surgical teaching, attributes of surgical educators,
value of simulation in training and barriers to implementing
ophthalmic surgical simulation were identified as
major themes. Almost all trainees and trainers reported
patient safety, a calm environment, the possibility of
repetitive practice, and facilitation of reflective learning as
beneficial aspects of ophthalmic SBSE. Perceived barriers
in surgical training included a lack of surgical cases, poor
supervision and limited simulation facilities.
CONCLUSIONS: Simulation is perceived as an important
and valuable model for education amongst trainees and
ophthalmic surgeon educators in SSA. Advocating for the
expansion and integration of educationally robust simulation
surgical skills centers may improve the delivery of
ophthalmic surgical education throughout SSA.
Description
Keywords
Ophthalmology, Training, Simulation, Education
Citation
Annoh, R., Banks, L. M., Gichuhi, S., Buchan, J., Makupa, W., Otiti, J., ... & Dean, W. H. (2021). Experiences and perceptions of ophthalmic simulation-based surgical education in sub-Saharan Africa. Journal of surgical education, 78(6), 1973-1984. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsurg.2021.04.005