International Pediatric Surgical Mission Trips: A Mixed Methods Study

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Investigator: Yalda Toofan, MS
Sponsor: Global Health Sciences Education

Location(s): Uganda

Description

Surgery is regarded as a luxury and frequently neglected in most global health agendas. Uganda is heavily burdened by the lack of specialized surgical care with only five practicing pediatric surgeons in the country. Various international organizations have paired with Lacor Hospital, one of the largest hospitals in Gulu, Uganda, to provide children with the surgical care they need. We will conduct a cost effectiveness analysis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia repairs, a serious congenital anomaly afflicting children in the Gulu district, provided by these international pediatric surgeons. We will also assess patient and provider perspectives regarding these surgical mission trips.