Specialist surgery in the developing world: luxury or necessity?
Patients suffering from conditions requiring specialist intervention cannot obtain treatment when facilities do not exist locally. Specialist visiting teams in a number of surgical disciplines have attempted to address these issues in collaboration with local clinicians. These interventions require careful planning and communication to achieve optimum results. Several teams have been successful in building long-term relationships that have lead to important clinical developments in the local country.
Wright
I G
IG
Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust, Sydney Street, London SW3 6NP, UK. g.wright@rbht.nhs.uk
Walker
I A
IA
Yacoub
M H
MH
D003906:Developing Countries; D006292:Health Priorities; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D008493:Medical Missions / Q000191:economics; D020380:Needs Assessment; D013043:Specialties, Surgical / Q000193:education / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014837:Voluntary Health Agencies / Q000458:organization & administration