Faculty leads:
Marcela Bailez, MD, (Argentina), Rohan Joseph, MD (USA), Jacqueline Narváez, CMP (USA), & Linda Zhang, MD (USA)
Faculty:
Tulio Brasileiro, MD (Brazil), Ana, Carasquilla, MD (Costa Rica), Joseph Damoi Okello, MD (Lead for Uganda), Kathy Cordero, MD (Costa Rica), Fabiola Cordoba, MD (Costa Rica), Nicole Uzor, MD (Lead for Uganda), & Hsien Yang, MD (Argentina)
Much of 2023 was dedicated to laying the groundwork for the expansion of the GLAP program into Africa. We have cultivated a strong relationship with COSECSA, the largest surgical educational institution in sub-Saharan Africa. Through collaborative planning sessions held onsite at the COSECSA 2023 annual conference in Addis Ababa, we have developed a strategy to integrate FLS training into the formal COSECSA curriculum and devised a plan for COSECSA to conduct remote FLS testing on their own at future COSECSA annual conferences. Additionally, we conducted a condensed GLAP course in Addis Ababa, where we provided laparoscopic simulation training to 53 Ethiopian surgeons. We also conducted a feasibility trial of remote FLS testing and grading. Out of 23 surgeons who took the FLS test, 65% successfully passed. Among these Ethiopian surgeons exposed to GLAP, 3 surgeons are now SAGES members, and one of them is coming to SAGES in Cleveland.
In addition, GLAP is a recipient of the 2024 SAGES Research Grant for the study titled: “Impact of Global Laparoscopic Advancement Pro Training Program on Fundamental of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) Test Passing Rate among COSECSA Trainees and Members in Sub-Saharan Africa Countries.” This study, to be conducted over the next 2 years, will allow GLAP to provide the GLAP Pro program to 45 COSECSA members of 3 Sub-Saharan countries, and provide FLS testing at no-cost to 90 COSECSA members. The collaboration associated with this study will enhance our partnership with COSECSA and guarantee sustained synergistic relationship between SAGES and COSECSA.
Main Achievements of 2023
- Confirmation that remote FLS testing and remote grading of technical skills can be performed successfully in Africa.
- Strengthen SAGES relationship with COSECSA through collaboration on the research study funded by SAGES Research Grant. By closely collaborating on the implementation of this study, GLAP/SAGES will foster a robust relationship with COSECSA leadership, thereby securing the long-term presence of SAGES in Africa and facilitating the expansion of FLS testing across the African continent.