Training for 100 Doctors in Developing Countries

Summary

Increase access to health care for disabled burn-and- trauma victims. Provide free training workshops in surgery and burn care for 100 doctors and nurses treating poor patients in southeast Asia.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

The few trained plastic and reconstructive surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses in developing countries face an overwhelming demand for their services. They often cannot treat the many patients who are too poor to afford medical care. They also lack the resources and infrastructure for advanced medical training. They cannot access medical libraries or journals, nor do they have the interaction with trained colleagues that is a key part of medical education in the United States.

How will this project solve this problem?

Each workshop includes lectures, discussions, and hands-on training focusing on various topics such as hand surgery, burns, and anesthesia. In one week, participants in the workshops absorb skills they can use immediately to help poor patients.

Potential Long Term Impact

The workshops will provide health care for impoverished children in Vietnam and other developing countries by training the local health care providers in their communities so that sustainable and quality medical care occurs year-round.

Project Message

The goal of Interplast’s training workshops is to move a site toward medical independence so that the poor of the region have access to the care they require year-round and for generations to come.
- William J. Schneider, M.D., Interplast Chief Medical Officer

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).

Resources