title: A qualitative assessment of the benefits and challenges of international neurosurgical teaching collaboration in Ethiopia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the perspectives of Ethiopian and international neurosurgeons on the development of a sustainable academic neurosurgery teaching unit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative case study methodology was employed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ethiopian and international surgeons describe a rewarding cross-cultural experience. Areas in need of improvement include communication, educational infrastructure, and structured morbidity and mortality discussions. Data collection that aims to understand better the burden of neurosurgical disease in Ethiopia along with rapidly expanding Ethiopian government initiatives to improve the health care system will lead to improved patient care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Genuine partnerships between surgeons who have trained and worked in well-developed neurosurgical centers and those that are working within the confines of limited resources have the mutual desire to improve neurosurgical care. Understanding each other's perspective is an important aspect of program development.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Cadotte
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA.
authors.forename: Cara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sedney
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Unit of Neurosurgery, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Hananiah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Djimbaye
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada. Electronic address: mark.bernstein@uhn.ca.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bernstein
mesh_terms: D017281:Cost of Illness; D003625:Data Collection; D032984:Ethics, Research; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D007391:International Cooperation; D008611:Mentors; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D009493:Neurosurgery / Q000193:education* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D066231:Surgeons
keywords: Global health; Low-income countries; Neurosurgery; Surgical capacity; Surgical partnerships