Telemedicine in Surgical Care in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review

Global Health Inequities in Orthopaedic Care: Perspectives Beyond the US

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The burden of musculoskeletal disease is increasing globally and disproportionately affecting people in low and middle income countries (LMIC). We sought to review global access to orthopaedic care, burden of trauma, research infrastructure, impact of surgical mission trips, implant availability, and the effect of COVID-19 upon the delivery of orthopaedic care worldwide.

RECENT FINDINGS

The majority of people in LMIC do not have access to safe, quality surgical care, and there are few fellowship-trained orthopaedic traumatologists. Road traffic accidents are the leading cause of long bone fractures in LMIC and result in significant morbidity and mortality. Of the orthopaedic literature published globally in the last 10 years, less than 15% had authors from LMIC. There has been growth in surgical mission trips to LMIC, but few organizations have established bidirectional partnerships. Among the challenges to delivering quality musculoskeletal care in LMIC is timely access to quality orthopaedic implants. Implant options in LMIC are more limited and subjected to less rigorous testing and regulation than high income countries (HIC). The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically reduced elective surgeries but saw the increase in telemedicine utilization which has prevailed in both HIC and LMIC. Awareness of global inequities in orthopaedic care is growing. Much can be learned through collaborations between orthopaedic surgeons from HIC and LMIC to advance patient care worldwide. There is a need for high quality, accurate data regarding incidence and prevalence of musculoskeletal disease, care utilization/availability, and postoperative outcomes so resources can be allotted to make orthopaedic care more equitable globally.

New augmented reality remote for virtual guidance and education of fracture surgery: a retrospective, non-inferiority, multi-center cohort study

BACKGROUND

The demand for telesurgery is rapidly increasing. Augmented reality (AR) remote surgery is a promising alternative, fulfilling a worldwide need in fracture surgery. However, previous AR endoscopic and Google Glass remotes remain unsuitable for fracture surgery, and the application of remote fracture surgery has not been reported. The authors aimed to evaluate the safety and clinical effectiveness of a new AR remote in fracture surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective non-inferiority cohort study was conducted at three centres. Between 1 January 2018 and 31 March 2022, 800 patients who underwent fracture surgery were eligible for participation. The study enroled 551 patients with fractures (132 patellae, 128 elbows, 126 tibial plateaus, and 165 ankles) divided into an AR group (specialists used AR to remotely guide junior doctors to perform surgeries) and a traditional non-remote group (specialists performed the surgery themselves).

RESULTS

Among 364 patients (182 per group) matched by propensity score, seven (3.8%) in the AR group and six (3%) in the non-remote group developed complications. The 0.005 risk difference (95% CI: -0.033 to 0.044) was below the pre-defined non-inferiority margin of a 10% absolute increase. A similar distribution in the individual components of all complications was found between the groups. Hierarchical analysis following propensity score matching revealed no statistical difference between the two groups regarding functional results at 1-year follow-up, operative time, amount of bleeding, number of fluoroscopies, and injury surgery interval. A Likert scale questionnaire showed positive results (median scores: 4-5) for safety, efficiency, and education.

CONCLUSION

This study is the first to report that AR remote surgery can be as safe and effective as that performed by a specialist in person for fracture surgery, even without the physical presence of a specialist, and is associated with improving the skills and increasing the confidence of junior surgeons. This technique is promising for remote fracture surgery and other open surgeries, offering a new strategy to address inadequate medical care in remote areas.

The feasibility, appropriateness, and usability of mobile neuro clinics in addressing the neurosurgical and neurological demand in Uganda

INTRODUCTION

Uganda has a high demand for neurosurgical and neurological care. 78% of the over 50 million population reside in rural and remote communities where access to neurosurgical and neurological services is lacking. This study aimed to determine the feasibility, appropriateness, and usability of mobile neuro clinics (MNCs) in providing neurological care to rural and remote Ugandan populations.

METHODS

Neurosurgery, neurology, and mobile health clinic providers participated in an education and interview session to assess the feasibility, appropriateness, and usability of the MNC intervention. A qualitative analysis of the interview responses using the constructs in the updated Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research was performed. Providers' opinions were weighted using average sentiment scores on a novel sentiment-weighted scale adapted from the CFIR. A stakeholder analysis was also performed to assess the power and interest of the actors described by the participants.

RESULTS

Twenty-one healthcare providers completed the study. Participants discussed the potential benefits and concerns of MNCs as well as potential barriers and critical incidents that could jeopardize the intervention. Of the five CFIR domains evaluated, variables in the implementation process domain showed the highest average sentiment scores, followed by the implementation climate constructs, inner setting, innovation, and outer setting domains. Furthermore, many interested stakeholders were identified with diverse roles and responsibilities for implementing MNCs. These findings demonstrate that MNC innovation is feasible, appropriate, and usable.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study support the feasibility, appropriateness, and usability of MNCs in Uganda. However, integration of this innovation requires careful planning and stakeholder engagement at all levels to ensure the best possible outcomes.

A review of twenty-first century developments in paediatric surgery in Africa

This review explores the significant advancements in paediatric surgery in Africa during the twenty-first century, with a particular focus on capacity-building, education, infrastructural development, and research. Historically, paediatric surgery has been an overlooked sector, especially in low-and-middle-income countries in Africa. However, recent years have seen considerable progress. Collaborative efforts such as the Global Initiative for Children's Surgery, and the formation of the Pan African Paediatric Surgery Association, the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa and the West African College of Surgeons have facilitated knowledge sharing, collaboration, and advocacy for enhancing surgical standards. Local training programmes, including Master of Medicine programmes and fellowships, have been instrumental in building a skilled workforce. These initiatives have been complemented by infrastructural developments through non-governmental organisations like Kids Operating Room, which have expanded access to paediatric surgical care. Technological advancements, particularly in telemedicine, have further enhanced accessibility. Task-sharing strategies, where non-specialist physicians are trained in paediatric surgical skills, have also been utilised to address the shortage of specialised surgeons. Research in paediatric surgery has experienced an upswing, with local health professionals taking the lead. Research has been crucial for understanding the epidemiology of paediatric surgical conditions, and developing prevention strategies, and is increasingly leading to the inclusion of paediatric surgery in national health plans. Despite the progress, challenges remain, including the need for sustainable funding, continued investment in infrastructure, and training and retention of healthcare professionals. The review emphasises the importance of ongoing efforts in community engagement, innovative technologies, and health systems strengthening for the sustainable development of paediatric surgical services in Africa.

A Global Systematic Review of Open Heart Valvular Surgery in Resource-Limited Settings

BACKGROUND

Many obstacles challenge the establishment and expansion of cardiac surgery in low- and middle-income countries, despite the unmet cardiac surgical needs. One challenge has been providing adequate follow-up care to monitor anticoagulation, manage morbidity, and prevent mortality. This systematic review describes outcomes after valvular cardiac surgery and focuses on strategies for prolonged follow-up care in resource-constrained settings.

METHODS

Studies published between 2012 and 2022 were collected from Embase and the Cochrane Library. Article inclusion criteria were adolescent and adult patients, open heart valvular surgery, and analysis of at least 1 postoperative outcome at least 30 days postoperatively. Studies that focused on pediatric patients, pregnant patients, transcatheter procedures, in-hospital outcomes, and nonvalvular surgical procedures were excluded. Descriptive statistics were assessed, and articles were summarized after abstract screening, full-text review, and data extraction.

RESULTS

Sixty-seven relevant publications were identified after screening. The most commonly studied regions were Asia (46%), Africa (36%), and Latin America (9%). Rheumatic heart disease was the most commonly studied valvular disease (70%). Reported outcomes included mortality, surgical reintervention, and thrombotic events. Follow-up duration ranged from 30 days to 144 months; 11 studies reported a follow-up length of 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Addressing the unmet cardiac care needs requires a multifaceted approach that leverages telemedicine technology, enhances medical infrastructure, and aligns advocacy efforts. Learning from the cost-effective establishment of cardiac surgery in low- and middle-income countries, we can apply past innovations to foster sustainable cardiac surgical capacity.

Achieving Surgical, Obstetric, Trauma, and Anesthesia (SOTA) care for all in South Asia

South Asia is a demographically crucial, economically aspiring, and socio-culturally diverse region in the world. The region contributes to a large burden of surgically-treatable disease conditions. A large number of people in South Asia cannot access safe and affordable surgical, obstetric, trauma, and anesthesia (SOTA) care when in need. Yet, attention to the region in Global Surgery and Global Health is limited. Here, we assess the status of SOTA care in South Asia. We summarize the evidence on SOTA care indicators and planning. Region-wide, as well as country-specific challenges are highlighted. We also discuss potential directions-initiatives and innovations-toward addressing these challenges. Local partnerships, sustained research and advocacy efforts, and politics can be aligned with evidence-based policymaking and health planning to achieve equitable SOTA care access in the South Asian region under the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

Utility of Routine Postoperative Examination for Detecting Vaginal Cuff Dehiscence After Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To determine the utility of routine postoperative vaginal cuff examination for detection of vaginal cuff dehiscence (VCD) after total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH).

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Quaternary care academic hospital in the United States.

PATIENTS

All patients who underwent TLH with a minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon at our institution from 2016 to 2022.

INTERVENTIONS

Laparoscopic hysterectomy with routine vaginal cuff check 6 to 8 weeks postoperatively and laparoscopic hysterectomy without routine vaginal cuff check.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

We identified 703 patients who underwent TLH, 216 (30.7%) with routine cuff checks and 487 (69.3%) without. Within the no cuff check group, 287 (58.9%) had entirely virtual follow-up. There was no difference in VCD between the routine cuff check (1.28%, n = 2) and no cuff check groups (0.93%, n = 7, p = .73). Median time to VCD was 70.0 days (27.5-114.0). No VCDs were identified in asymptomatic patients on routine examination, and both patients in the cuff check group with VCD had appropriately healing cuffs on routine examination. In the cuff check group, 7 patients (3.2%) had findings of incomplete healing requiring intervention (silver nitrate, extended pelvic rest), all of whom were asymptomatic at the time of examination. Eight patients (3.7%) in the routine cuff check group and 21 (4.3%) in the no examination group required a nonroutine cuff check owing to symptoms. There was no difference in points of contact for postoperative symptoms between the groups (median 0 [0-1.0] for both groups, p = .778).

CONCLUSION

Routine postoperative vaginal cuff examination does not seem to affect or negate the risk of future VCD. Virtual follow-up for asymptomatic patients may be appropriate after TLH.

Neurosurgery and the World Health Organization Intersectoral Global Action Plan for Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders 2022-2031

The World Health Organization's Intersectoral Global Action Plan (IGAP) on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Diseases 2022-2031 is a holistic, interdisciplinary, and intersectoral plan with a strong focus on equity and human rights. The IGAP was unanimously approved by all World Health Organization Member States at the 75th World Health Assembly in May 2022 and provides a framework for researchers and clinicians to study and address national and global inadequacies in the evaluation and management of people suffering from neurological disorders and their prevention. While IGAP has applied epilepsy as an entry point for other neurological disorders, advocacy by neurologists and neurosurgeons has broadened it to include diseases with a large and growing global health footprint such as stroke, hydrocephalus, traumatic brain injury, and brain and spine cancers. The IGAP is important to neurosurgeons globally because it provides the first ever roadmap for comprehensively addressing unmet neurological and neurosurgical care in low- and middle-income countries. Furthermore, it creates an opportunity for neurologists and neurosurgeons to scale up services for neurological diseases in tandem. As such, it provides a structure for the neurosurgery community to become involved in global health initiatives at all levels.

Ghana 3D Telemedicine International MDT: A proof-of-concept study

A real-time 3D Telemedicine system - leveraging Microsoft's Holoportation™ communication technology - enabled an international multidisciplinary team meeting (MDT) to consult with complex reconstructive patients before, during, and after an overseas surgical collaboration.

METHODS

A proof-of-concept international 3D MDT clinic took place in November 2022, between the Canniesburn Plastic Surgery Unit, UK, and the National Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and Burns Centre, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana. The 3D system was utilised 1) previsit to assess patients and enable logistical planning, 2) on-site in Ghana to further allow patients to see themselves and proposed operations in 3D, and 3) post visit to debrief the team and patients.

RESULTS

Four Ghana patients were followed through their patient journey (mandibular ameloblastoma, sarcoma thigh, maxillary tumour, sarcoma back). Thirteen participants (four patients, four Ghana clinicians, and five UK clinicians) completed feedback on the 3D MDT. Outcome measures were rated highly with satisfaction 84.31/100, perceived benefit 4.54/5, overall quality 127.3/147 (Telehealth Usability Questionnaire), and usability 83.2/100 (System Usability Scale). These data show close alignment with that previously published on high-income countries.

CONCLUSIONS

This novel technology has the potential to enhance the delivery of overseas surgical visits to low-to-middle-income countries, by improving planning, informed discussion with patients, expert consensus on complex cases, and fostering engagement with professionals who may be thousands of miles away. This is the first demonstration that real-time 3D Telemedicine can both work, and enhance care within an international MDT clinic, and may thus enable change in the approach to overseas surgical collaborations.

Closed-globe injury due to metallic foreign body in an elderly worker: A case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Cases of ocular trauma in developing countries are often found with more severe conditions due to increased socioeconomic burden, inadequate safety measures, lack of optimal treatment facilities, and poor education. Here we present a case on an elderly worker in a developing country, showing the importance of prompt treatment albeit in a resource-limited setting.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 61-year-old male metalworker presented with closed globe injury after metal debris impact during his work shift 3 h ago. Physical examination showed left eye visual acuity of 1/60, conjunctival injection, corneal blood and fibrovascular tissue, a small foreign body, relative afferent papillary defect, and lens opacities. Ultrasound confirmed vitreous cavity abnormalities. Surgical removal of a foreign body and scleral suturing were performed after an 8-hour delay due to limited staff during night shift. Postoperative follow-up indicated improved vision acuity to 3/60. While the overall prognosis was favorable, the patient did not attend subsequent outpatient follow-up appointments, possibly due to financial barriers, raising concerns regarding long-term management.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Ocular trauma remains a significant contributor to visual impairment and avoidable blindness, carrying potential long-term implications for quality of life. This case presentation serves as a poignant reminder of the socioeconomic repercussions of ocular injuries, particularly among workers in resource-constrained environments of the developing world.

CONCLUSION

The notable delays in timely surgical intervention, coupled with financial limitations underline the multifaceted nature of barriers faced.

Improving long-term care and outcomes of congenital heart disease: fulfilling the promise of a healthy life

Advances in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for congenital heart disease (CHD), the most common birth defect in China, have drastically improved survival for individuals with the disease. However, China's current health system is not well prepared to manage the growing population of people with CHD and their complex medical needs, which range from early detection of the condition and intervention for physical, neurodevelopmental, and psychosocial impairment, to long-term management of major complications and chronic health problems. Health disparities caused by long-standing regional differences in access to care pose challenges when major complications such as pulmonary hypertension arise, and when individuals with complex CHD become pregnant and give birth. Currently, no data sources track neonates, children, adolescents, and adults with CHD in China and delineate their clinical characteristics and use of health resources. This scarcity of data should warrant attention from the Chinese Government and relevant specialists in the field. In the third paper of the Series on CHD in China, we summarise key literature and current data to identify knowledge gaps and call for concerted efforts by the government, hospitals, clinicians, industries, and charitable organisations to develop an actionable, lifelong framework of congenital cardiac care that is accessible and affordable for all individuals with CHD. TRANSLATION: For the Chinese translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Spina bifida management in low- and middle-income countries - a comprehensive policy approach

INTRODUCTION

Globally, spina bifida (SB) occurs more often in low- and middle-income countries, where the healthcare demands are often quite challenging. Several social/societal issues and/or lack of government support makes for incomplete SB management in many areas. Clearly, neurosurgeons should be knowledgeable about initial closure techniques and the basics of SB management, but must also advocate for the patients outside our immediate scope of care.

METHODS

Recently, the Comprehensive Policy Recommendations for the Management of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (CHYSPR) and the Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and other Neurological Disorders (IGAP) publications emphasized the need for a more unified approach to SB care. Although both documents discuss other neurological conditions, they support SB as a congenital malformation needing attention.

RESULTS

We identified several similarities for comprehensive SB care in these approaches - including education, governance, advocacy, and the need for continuum of care. Prevention was recognized as the most important aspect for SB going forward. A significant return of investment was noted, and both documents recommend more active neurosurgical involvement (i.e., folic acid fortification).

CONCLUSION

A new call for holistic and comprehensive care for SB management is recognized. Neurosurgeons are called upon to use solid science to educate governments and actively participate to advocate for better care and most importantly, prevention. Folic acid fortification schemes are mandatory and neurosurgeons should advocate for global strategies.

Developing a mobile health application for wound telemonitoring: a pilot study on abdominal surgeries post-discharge care

BACKGROUND

Many early signs of Surgical Site Infection (SSI) developed during the first thirty days after discharge remain inadequately recognized by patients. Hence, it is important to use interactive technologies for patient support in these times. It helps to diminish unnecessary exposure and in-person outpatient visits. Therefore, this study aims to develop a follow-up system for remote monitoring of SSIs in abdominal surgeries.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This pilot study was carried out in two phases including development and pilot test of the system. First, the main requirements of the system were extracted through a literature review and exploration of the specific needs of abdominal surgery patients in the post-discharge period. Next extracted data was validated according to the agreement level of 30 clinical experts by the Delphi method. After confirming the conceptual model and the primary prototype, the system was designed. In the pilot test phase, the usability of the system was qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated by the participation of patients and clinicians.

RESULTS

The general architecture of the system consists of a mobile application as a patient portal and a web-based platform for patient remote monitoring and 30-day follow-up by the healthcare provider. Application has a wide range of functionalities including collecting surgery-related documents, and regular assessment of self-reported symptoms via systematic tele-visits based on predetermined indexes and wound images. The risk-based models embedded in the database included a minimum set with 13 rules derived from the incidence, frequency, and severity of SSI-related symptoms. Accordingly, alerts were generated and displayed via notifications and flagged items on clinicians' dashboards. In the pilot test phase, out of five scheduled tele-visits, 11 (of 13) patients (85%), completed at least two visits. The nurse-centered support was very helpful in the recovery stage. Finally, the result of a pilot usability evaluation showed users' satisfaction and willingness to use the system.

CONCLUSION

Implementing a telemonitoring system is potentially feasible and acceptable. Applying this system as part of routine postoperative care management can provide positive effects and outcomes, especially in the era of coronavirus disease when more willingness to telecare service is considered.

Utilization of telehealth to manage the Covid-19 pandemic in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review

OBJECTIVE

Recently, the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic has led to an increase in the use of telehealth technology. It seems that the application of this technology in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) has been limited, and few studies have been undertaken to review the current state of knowledge in this area. The aim of the present study was to explore the utilization of telehealth to manage the Covid-19 pandemic in LMICs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This scoping review was conducted in 2022. PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, IEEE Xplore, and ProQuest were searched, and all quantitative research, qualitative studies, case reports, and case studies related to the use of telehealth to manage Covid-19 in LMICs and published since 2020 were included in the study. The findings were analyzed and reported narratively.

RESULTS

In total, 18 articles were included in the research. These studies were conducted in South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, and East Asia and Oceania. Telehealth interventions included teleconsultation, telecoaching, teledermatology, televisit, mhealth applications, telerehabilitation, telepharmacy, and telepsychiatry. WhatsApp was the most common way for service delivery and in most studies, patients and health care providers were satisfied with services.

CONCLUSION

Although the use of telehealth interventions was limited in LMICs during the Covid-19 pandemic, in most cases, it was an effective solution to combat the outbreak of Covid-19 and had positive outcomes. A comparison between the characteristics and clinical effectiveness of similar interventions in different countries including LMICs are worth investigation in the future studies.

Preoperative Patient Education Practices and Predictors Among Nurses Working in East Amhara Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals, Ethiopia, 2022

Background

The time before surgery is a traumatic period for patients. Despite this fact, no research has been conducted on nurses' preoperative patient education in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess preoperative patient education practices and associated factors among nurses working in East Amhara comprehensive specialized hospitals, Ethiopia, 2022.

Methods

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted with 416 nurses. Pretested, structured questionnaires were used to collect the data. Bivariable analysis was performed for each independent variable with a P-value < 0.25 on the data imported to multivariate logistic regression analysis. AOR with a 95% CI and a P-value < 0.05 at a 5% level of significance were considered.

Results

Only 38.5% of nurses were found to have good practices for preoperative patient education, with a response rate of 98%. Nurses with 6 years of work experience (AOR = 3.15, 95% CI: 1.692-5.874), adequate time (AOR = 2.33, 95% CI: 1.119-4.889), training (AOR = 4.27, 95% CI: 1.548-11.796), age 25-29 (AOR = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.070-0.331), age 30-34 (AOR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.137-0.479), and knowledge (AOR = 3.73, 95% CI: 2.222-6.273) were significantly associated.

Conclusion

Preoperative patient education practices among nurses were poor. Work experience, knowledge, training, and adequate time were found to be significant. Organize preoperative patient education programs for nurses that share experiences and provide ongoing training.

Long-term Reported Outcomes Following Primary Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

BACKGROUND

Long-term laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) outcomes in patients with obesity are scarce. We aimed to examine the outcomes and subjective experience of patients who underwent primary LSG with long-term follow-up.

METHODS

The study is a retrospective observational analysis of patients who underwent primary LSG in a single center with 5-15 years of follow-up. Patients' hospital chart data supplemented by a detailed follow-up online questionnaire and telephone interview were evaluated.

RESULTS

The study sample included 578 patients (67.0% female) with 8.8 ± 2.5 years of mean follow-up, with a response rate to the survey of 82.8%. Mean baseline age and body mass index (BMI) were 41.9 ± 10.6 years and 42.5 ± 5.5 kg/m², respectively. BMI at nadir was 27.5 ± 4.9 kg/m², corresponding to a mean excess weight loss (EWL) of 86.9 ± 22.8%. Proportion of patients with weight regain, defined as nadir ≥ 50.0% EWL, but at follow-up < 50.0% EWL, was 34.6% (n = 200) and the mean weight regain from nadir was 13.3 ± 11.1 kg. BMI and EWL at follow-up were 32.6 ± 6.4 kg/m² and 58.9 ± 30.1%, respectively. The main reasons for weight regain given by patients included "not following guidelines," "lack of exercise," "subjective impression of being able to ingest larger quantities of food in a meal," and "not meeting with the dietitian." Resolution of obesity-related conditions at follow-up was reported for hypertension (51.7%), dyslipidemia (58.1%) and type 2 diabetes (72.2%). The majority of patients (62.3%) reported satisfaction with LSG.

CONCLUSIONS

In the long term, primary LSG was associated with satisfactory weight and health outcomes. However, weight regain was notable.

Effects of COVID-19 on paediatric cardiac centres in low-income and middle-income countries: a mixed-methods study

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to understand the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on paediatric cardiac services in critical access centres in low-income and middle-income countries.

DESIGN

A mixed-methods approach was used.

SETTING

Critical access sites that participate in the International Quality Improvement Collaborative (IQIC) for congenital heart disease (CHD) were identified.

PARTICIPANTS

Eight IQIC sites in low-income and middle-income countries agreed to participate.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Differences in volume and casemix before and during the pandemic were identified, and semistructured interviews were conducted with programme representatives and analysed by two individuals using NVivo software. The qualitative component of this study contributed to a better understanding of the centres' experiences and to identify themes that were common across centres.

RESULTS

In aggregate, among the seven critical access sites that reported data in both 2019 and 2020, there was a 20% reduction in case volume, though the reduction varied among programmes. Qualitative analysis identified a universal impact for all programmes related to Access to Care/Clinical Services, Financial Stability and Professional/Personal Issues for healthcare providers.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study identified and quantified a significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on critical access to CHD surgery in low-income and middle-income countries, as well as a significant adverse impact on both the skilled workforce needed to treat CHD and on the institutions in which care is delivered. These findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has been a major threat to access to care for children with CHD in resource-constrained environments and that this effect may be long-lasting beyond the global emergency. Efforts are needed to preserve vulnerable CHD programmes even during unprecedented pandemic situations.