title: A systematic approach to developing a global surgery elective.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Interest in global health has been increasing for years among American residents and medical students. Many residency programs have developed global health tracks or electives in response to this need.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our goal was to create a global surgery elective based on a synergistic partnership between our institution and a hospital in the developing world.
  
  
  METHODS
  We created a business plan and 1-year schedule for researching potential sites and completing a pilot rotation at our selected hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  We administered a survey to general surgery residents at the University of Cincinnati and visited medical facilities in Sierra Leone, Cameroon, and Malawi.
  
  
  METHODS
  The survey was given to all general surgery residents. A resident and a faculty member executed the fact-finding trip as well as the pilot rotation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our general surgery residents view an international elective as integral to residency training and would participate in such an elective. After investigating 6 hospitals in sub-Saharan Africa, we conducted a pilot rotation at our selected hospital and gained the necessary information to organize a curriculum. We will begin sending senior residents for 8-week rotations in the coming academic year.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  By systematically approaching the process of creating a global surgery elective, we were able to gain considerable insight into choosing a location and organizing the elective.
authors: Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio.
authors: Richard S
authors: RS
authors: Hoehn
authors: Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio.
authors: Bradley R
authors: BR
authors: Davis
authors: Lafayette Surgical Clinic, Lafayette, Indiana.
authors: Nathan L
authors: NL
authors: Huber
authors: Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio.
authors: Michael J
authors: MJ
authors: Edwards
authors: Mzuzu Central Hospital, Mzuzu, Malawi.
authors: Douglas
authors: D
authors: Lungu
authors: Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio. Electronic address: Jocelyn.Logan@uc.edu.
authors: Jocelyn M
authors: JM
authors: Logan
mesh_terms: D002163:Cameroon; D003479:Curriculum; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D014943:Global Health / Q000193:education*; D007393:International Educational Exchange; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008295:Malawi; D009820:Ohio; D012807:Sierra Leone; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Interpersonal and Communication Skills; Malawi; Medical Knowledge; Patient Care; System-Based Practice; global health; surgery residency; surgical elective