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Hill SK, Bempong-Ahun N, Okolo ID, Lalla AT, Worku D, Asres T, Philpotts L, Fallah PN, Varallo J, Corlew S, Kamfwa P, Parham GP, Hicks ML, Ibbotson G, Randall T. Improving access to safe, quality surgical care for gynecologic cancers through capacity-building interventions in low- and middle-income countries: A scoping review. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2024; 165:552-561. [PMID: 37927080 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.15156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Following the launch of the World Health Organization's Strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer, diagnosis is expected to increase, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). A well-integrated surgical system is critical to treat cervical cancer. Two major approaches have been employed to build human capacity: task-sharing and training of gynecologic oncologists (GynOncs). OBJECTIVES This review aimed to explore existing literature on capacity-building for surgical management of early-stage gynecologic cancers. SEARCH STRATEGY The search strategy was registered on Open Science Framework (doi 10.17605/OSF.IO/GTRCB) and conducted on OVID Medline, Embase, Global Index Medicus, and Web of Science. Search results were exported and screened in COVIDENCE. SELECTION CRITERIA Studies published in English, Spanish, French, and/or Portuguese conducted in LMIC settings evaluating capacity building, task-sharing, or outcomes following operation by subspecialists compared to specialists were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Results were synthesized using narrative synthesis approach with emergence of key themes by frequency. MAIN RESULTS The scoping review identified 18 studies spanning our themes of interest: capacity building, subspecialized versus non-subspecialized care, and task-shifting/-sharing. CONCLUSIONS A multilayered approach is critical to achieve the WHO Strategy to Eliminate Cervical Cancer. Capacity-building and task-sharing programs demonstrate encouraging results to meet this need; nevertheless, a standardized methodology is needed to evaluate these programs, their outcomes, and cost-effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K Hill
- Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Isioma Dianne Okolo
- Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
- The Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Amber Trujillo Lalla
- The Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Dawit Worku
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK), Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Tadios Asres
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rwanda Military Hospital (RMH), Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Lisa Philpotts
- Treadwell Library, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Parisa N Fallah
- The Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - John Varallo
- The Global Surgery Foundation, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Scott Corlew
- Program in Global Surgery and Social Change, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Paul Kamfwa
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Cancer Diseases Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Groesbeck P Parham
- Women and Newborn Hospital-University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Michael L Hicks
- Women and Newborn Hospital-University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Michigan Cancer Institute, St. Joseph Mercy Oakland, Pontiac, USA
| | - Geoffrey Ibbotson
- The Global Surgery Foundation, Geneva, Switzerland
- United Nations Institute for Training and Research, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Randall
- The Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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