Formal Training of the Global Surgeon: Current Educational Paradigms and Critical Elements for Progression

Abstract

To prepare global surgeons, academic institutions have created training programs that provide opportunities to develop foundational clinical knowledge, pursue academic inquiry, build surgical infrastructure and capacity, and become advocates and collaborators in resource-limited settings. Academic institutions can create a short course in global surgery, global surgery rotation, global surgery fellowship, or integrated global surgery residency. Global surgery training programs must account for ethics of global surgery engagement, sources of funding, structures for professional advancement, and trainee-appropriate partnerships. Global surgery training must include the establishment of accreditation systems, development of integrated training programs, and institutional investment in global surgery education.

Keywords: Global surgery; Medical education; Surgical capacity; Training.