Availability and Geographic Access to Hospital-Based Breast Cancer Diagnostic Services in Ghana.

PURPOSE: Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer and second most common cause of cancer-related death in Ghana. Early detection and access to diagnostic services are vital for early treatment initiation and improved survival. This study characterizes the geographic access to hospital-based breast cancer diagnostic services in Ghana as a framework for expansion. METHODS: A cross-sectional hospital-based survey was completed in Ghana from November 2020 to October 2021. Early diagnostic services, as defined by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Framework for Resource Stratification, was assessed at each hospital. Services were characterized as available >80% of the time in the previous year, <80%, or not available. ArcGIS was used to identify the proportion of the population within 20 and 45 km of services. RESULTS: Most hospitals in Ghana participated in this survey (95%; 328 of 346). Of these, 12 met full NCCN Basic criteria >80% of the time, with 43% of the population living within 45 km. Ten of the 12 met full NCCN Core criteria, and none met full NCCN Enhanced criteria. An additional 12 hospitals were identified that provide the majority of NCCN Basic services but lack select services necessary to meet this criterion. Expansion of services in these hospitals could result in an additional 20% of the population having access to NCCN Basic-level early diagnostic services within 45 km. CONCLUSION: Hospital-based services for breast cancer early diagnosis in Ghana are available but sparse. Many hospitals offer fragmented aspects of care, but only a limited number of hospitals offer the full NCCN Basic or Core level of care. Understanding current availability and geographical distribution of services provides a framework for potential targeted expansion of services.

Development of an International Virtual Multidisciplinary Tumor Board for Breast Cancer in Mongolia.

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer among Mongolian women and mortality rates are high. We describe a virtual multi-institutional and multidisciplinary tumor board (MTB) for breast cancer created to assist the National Cancer Center of Mongolia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A virtual MTB for breast cancer was conducted with participation of two United States and 1 Mongolian cancer centers. A standardized template for presentations was developed. Recommendations were summarized and shared with participants. Collected data included patient demographics, tumor characteristics, stage, imaging and treatments performed, and recommendations. Questions were categorized as treatment, diagnosis, or palliative questions. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were evaluated. Median age was 39 y. 86.7% of breast cancers were invasive ductal cancers and 13.3% were metaplastic carcinomas. 53.3% were estrogen and progesterone receptor positive (ER+/PR+), 60% were HER2+, 13.3% were triple negative, and 26.7% were recurrent. 40% of patients were evaluated with mammography. 6% received positron emission tomography scans for metastatic evaluation. 66.7% of surgical patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Herceptin was administered to 55.6% of patients with Her2+ cancers. Modified radical mastectomy was most commonly performed and reconstruction was rare. Sentinel lymph node biopsy was not performed. 66.7% of ER+/PR+ patients received endocrine therapy. 6.7% of patients received radiation. 75% of MTB questions pertained to treatment. Recommendations were related to systemic therapy (40%), surgical management (33.3%), pathology (13.3%), and imaging (13.3%). CONCLUSIONS: This study illustrates the development of an international, virtual, multi-institutional breast cancer MTB and provides insight into challenges and potential interventions to improve breast cancer care in Mongolia.

Capacity assessment and spatial analysis of cervical cancer services in The Gambia.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related death in Gambian women. The Gambian Ministry of Health is striving to improve access to screening, diagnostic, and treatment services for cervical cancer, but comprehensive data on currently available services is limited making it challenging to appropriately prioritize the ideal next steps for expanding care. This study aims to describe the current services available for the prevention, screening, and treatment of cervical cancer in The Gambia and provide suggestions for expanding geographic access to care. METHODS: A survey aimed at assessing the availability of key cervical cancer-related services was developed and then administered in person by research assistants to all secondary and tertiary health facilities (HFs) in The Gambia. ArcGIS Pro Software and 2020 LandScan population density raster were used to visualize and quantify geographic access to care. Survey results were compared with published targets outlined by the Gambian Ministry of Health in the "Strategic Plan for the Prevention and Control of Cervical Cancer in The Gambia: 2016-2020." RESULTS: One hundred and two HFs were surveyed including 12 hospitals, 3 major health centers, 56 minor health centers, and 31 medical centers/clinics. Seventy-eight of these HFs provided some form of cervical cancer-related service. HPV vaccination was available in all health regions. Two-thirds of the population lived within 10 km of a HF that offered screening for cervical cancer and half lived within 10 km of a HF that offered treatment for precancerous lesions. Ten HFs offered hysterectomy, but nine were located in the same region. Two HFs offered limited chemotherapy. Radiotherapy was not available. If all major health centers and hospitals started offering visual inspection with acetic acid and cryotherapy, 86.1% of the population would live within 25 km of a HF with both services. CONCLUSIONS: Geographic access to cervical cancer screening, and precancer treatment is relatively widespread across The Gambia, but targeted expansion in line with the country's "Strategic Plan" would improve access for central and eastern Gambia. The availability of treatment services for invasive cancer is limited, and establishing radiotherapy in the country should continue to be prioritized.

Geospatial availability of breast cancer treatment modalities and hypothetical access improvement in Ghana: A nationwide survey.

Breast cancer in Ghana is a growing public health problem with increasing incidence and poor outcomes. Lack of access to comprehensive treatment in Ghana may be a contributing factor to its high mortality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the availability of treatments nationwide and systematically identify high yield areas for targeted expansion. We conducted a cross-sectional, nationwide hospital-based survey from November 2020-October 2021. Surveys were conducted in person with trained research assistants and described hospital availability of all breast cancer treatments and personnel. All individual treatment services were reported, and hospitals were further stratified into levels of multi-modal treatment modeled after the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Framework treatment recommendations for low-resource settings. Level 3 included Tamoxifen and surgery (mastectomy with axillary lymph node sampling); Level 2 included Level 3 plus radiation, aromatase inhibitors, lumpectomy, and sentinel lymph node biopsy; Level 1 included Level 2 plus Her2 therapy and breast reconstruction. Hospitals were identified that could expand to these service levels based on existing services, location and personnel. The distance of the total population from treatment services before and after hypothetical expansion was determined with a geospatial analysis. Of the 328 participating hospitals (95% response rate), 9 hospitals had Level 3 care, 0 had Level 2, and 2 had Level 1. Twelve hospitals could expand to Level 3, 1 could expand to Level 2, and 1 could expand to Level 1. With expansion, the population percentage within 75km of Level 1, 2 and 3 care would increase from 42% to 50%, 0 to 6% and 44% to 67%, respectively. Multi-modal breast cancer treatment is available in Ghana, but it is not accessible to most of the population. Leveraging the knowledge of current resources and population proximity provides an opportunity to identify high-yield areas for targeted expansion.

An Outcomes-Focused Analysis of Laparoscopic and Open Surgery in a Nigerian Hospital.

Background/Objectives: The benefits of laparoscopic surgery such as swifter recovery and fewer wound complications, elude much of the developing world. Nigeria, a lower middle-income country, is the most populous sub-Saharan nation; an excellent model for studying the impact of laparoscopy in resource-constrained environments. The Department of Surgery at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital and the University of Utah's Center for Global Surgery present a study of laparoscopic surgery cases in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: A retrospective chart review of 261 patients compared open and laparoscopic surgical outcomes for three common general surgery procedures: open versus laparoscopic cholecystectomy and appendectomy, and open laparotomy versus diagnostic laparoscopy for biopsy of intra-abdominal mass. The primary outcome was total length of stay (LOS); secondary outcomes included wound complications, analgesia and antibiotic use, time to oral intake, and patient charges. Results: Total LOS for laparoscopic surgery was significantly shorter compared to analogous open procedures (4.7 vs 11.5 days). Postoperative LOS was also shorter (2.6 vs 8.2 days). There were no differences in wound complications. Median charges to patients were lower for laparoscopic versus open procedures ($184 vs $217 USD). Conclusions: The introduction of laparoscopy allows for significantly shorter LOS and equivalent wound complications in the context of a sub-Saharan teaching hospital. Concerns regarding higher costs of care for patients do not appear to be a significant issue. Further work is needed to evaluate costs to the hospital system as a whole, including procurement and maintenance of laparoscopic equipment.

Establishing a baseline for surgical care in Mongolia: a situational analysis using the six indicators from the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To inform national planning, six indicators posed by the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery were collected for the Mongolian surgical system. This situational analysis shows one lower middle-income country's ability to collect the indicators aided by a well-developed health information system. DESIGN: An 11-year retrospective analysis of the Mongolian surgical system using data from the Health Development Center, National Statistics Office and Household Socio-Economic Survey. Access estimates were based on travel time to capable hospitals. Provider density, surgical volume and postoperative mortality were calculated at national and regional levels. Protection against impoverishing and catastrophic expenditures was assessed against standard out-of-pocket expenditure at government hospitals for individual operations. SETTING: Mongolia's 81 public hospitals with surgical capability, including tertiary, secondary and primary/secondary facilities. PARTICIPANTS: All operative patients in Mongolia's public hospitals, 2006-2016. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcomes were national-level results of the indicators. Secondary outcomes include regional access; surgeons, anaesthesiologists and obstetricians (SAO) density; surgical volume; and perioperative mortality. RESULTS: In 2016, 80.1% of the population had 2-hour access to essential surgery, including 60% of those outside the capital. SAO density was 47.4/100 000 population. A coding change increased surgical volume to 5784/100 000 population, and in-hospital mortality decreased from 0.27% to 0.14%. All households were financially protected from caesarean section. Appendectomy carried 99.4% and 98.4% protection, external femur fixation carried 75.4% and 50.7% protection from impoverishing and catastrophic expenditures, respectively. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy carried 42.9% protection from both. CONCLUSIONS: Mongolia meets national benchmarks for access, provider density, surgical volume and postoperative mortality with notable limitations. Significant disparities exist between regions. Unequal access may be efficiently addressed by strengthening or building key district hospitals in population-dense areas. Increased financial protections are needed for operations involving hardware or technology. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation will support the development of context-specific interventions to improve surgical care in Mongolia.

Surveying and mapping breast cancer services in Ghana: a cross-sectional pilot study in the Eastern Region.

OBJECTIVES: Define the services available for the care of breast cancer at hospitals in the Eastern Region of Ghana, identify areas of the region with limited access to care through geospatial mapping, and test a novel survey instrument in anticipation of a nationwide scale up of the study. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, facility-based survey study. SETTING: This study was conducted at 33 of the 34 hospitals in the Eastern Region of Ghana from March 2020 to May 2020. PARTICIPANTS: The 33 hospitals surveyed represented 97% of all hospitals in the region. This included private, government, quasi-government and faith-based organisation owned hospitals. RESULTS: Sixteen hospitals (82%) surveyed provided basic screening services, 11 (33%) provided pathological diagnosis and 3 (9%) provided those services in addition to basic surgical care.53%, 64% and 78% of the population lived within 10 km, 25 km and 45 km of screening, diagnostic and treatment services respectively. Limited chemotherapy was available at two hospitals (6%), endocrine therapy at one hospital (3%) and radiotherapy was not available. Twenty-nine hospitals (88%) employed a general practitioner and 13 (39%) employed a surgeon. Oncology specialists, pathology personnel and a plastic surgeon were only available in one hospital (3%) in the Eastern Region. CONCLUSIONS: Although 16 hospitals (82%) provided screening, only half the population lived within reasonable distance of these services. Few hospitals offered diagnosis and surgical services, but 64% and 78% of the population lived within a reasonable distance of these hospitals. Geospatial analysis suggested two priorities to cost-effectively expand breast cancer services: (1) increase the number of health facilities providing screening services and (2) centralise basic imaging, pathological and surgical services at targeted hospitals.

Geospatial analysis and impact of targeted development of breast cancer care in The Gambia: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The Gambia has one of the lowest survival rates for breast cancer in Africa. Contributing factors are late presentation, delays within the healthcare system, and decreased availability of resources. We aimed to characterize the capacity and geographic location of healthcare facilities in the country and calculate the proportion of the population with access to breast cancer care. METHODS: A facility-based assessment tool was administered to secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities and private medical centers and clinics in The Gambia. GPS coordinates were obtained, and proximity of service availability and population analysis were performed. Distance thresholds of 10, 20, and 45 km were chosen to determine access to screening, pathologic diagnosis, and surgical management. An additional population analysis was performed to observe the potential impact of targeted development of resources for breast cancer care. RESULTS: All 102 secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities and private medical centers and clinics in The Gambia were included. Breast cancer screening is mainly performed through clinical breast examination and is available in 52 facilities. Seven facilities provide pathologic diagnosis and surgical management of breast cancer. The proportion of the Gambian population with access to screening, pathologic diagnosis, and surgical management is 72, 53, and 62%, respectively. A hypothetical targeted expansion of resources would increase the covered population to 95, 62, and 84%. CONCLUSIONS: Almost half of the Gambian population does not have access to pathologic diagnosis and surgical management of breast cancer within the distance threshold utilized in the study. Mapping and population analysis can identify areas for targeted development of resources to increase access to breast cancer care.

Addressing Supply Chain Management Issues in Cost-effective Maternal and Pediatric Global Surgery: A Call to Action.

Persistent global disparities in maternal and neonatal outcomes exist, in part, due to a lack of access to safe surgery. This commentary examines the relative need for increased focus on access to safe maternal and pediatric surgery globally, starting with a focus on cost-effective surgeries. There is a need to understand context-specific surgeries for regions, including understanding regional versus tertiary development. Most important is a need to understand the crucial role of supply chain management (SCM) in developing better access to maternal and pediatric surgery in limited resource settings. We evaluate the role of SCM in global surgery and global health, and the current landscape of inefficiency. We outline specific findings and takeaways from recent solutions developed in pediatric and maternal surgery to address SCM inefficiencies. We then examine the applicability to other settings and look at the future. Our goal is to summarize the challenges that exist today in a global setting to provide better access to maternal and pediatric surgery and outline solutions relying on structural, SCM-related framework.

Patient Experience and Outcomes of the Locally Organized ApriDec Medical Outreach Group.

BACKGROUND: Access to safe and effective surgery is limited in low and middle-income countries. Short-term surgical missions are a common platform to provide care, but the few published outcomes suggest unacceptable morbidity and mortality. We sought to study the safety and effectiveness of the ApriDec Medical Outreach Group (AMOG). METHODS: Data from the December 2017 and April 2018 outreaches were prospectively collected. Patient demographics, characteristics of surgery, complications of surgery, and patient quality of life were collected preoperatively and on postoperative days 15 and 30. Data were analyzed to determine complication rates and trends in quality of life. RESULTS: 260/278 (93.5%) of patients completed a 30-day follow-up. Of these, surgical site infection was the most common complication (8.0%), followed by hematoma (4.1%). Rates of urinary tract infection were 1.2% while all other complications occurred in less than 1% of patients. There were no mortalities. With increasing time after surgery (0 to 15 days to 30 days), there was a significant improvement across each of the dimensions of quality of life (p < 0.001). All patients reported satisfaction with their procedure. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the care provided by AMOG group to the underserved populations of northern Ghana, yielded complication rates similar to others in low-resourced communities, leading to improved quality of life.

Barriers to Timely Presentation of Patients with Surgical Conditions at Tamale Teaching Hospital in Northern Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Improving access to surgical services and understanding the barriers to receiving timely care are necessary to save lives. The aim of this study was to assess barriers to timely presentation to an appropriate medical facility using the Three-Delay model, for patients presenting to Tamale Teaching Hospital, in northern Ghana. METHODS: In 2013, patients with delays in seeking surgical care were prospectively identified. Pairwise correlation coefficients between delay in presentation and factors associated with delay were conducted and served as a foundation for a multivariate log-linear regression model. RESULTS: A total of 718 patients presented with an average delay of 22.1 months. Delays in receiving care were most common (56.4%), while delays in seeking care were seen in 52.3% of patients. "Initially seeking treatment at the nearest facility, but appropriate care was unavailable" was reported by 56.4% and predicted longer delays (p < 0.001). 42.9% of patients had delays secondary to treatment from a traditional or religious healer, which also predicted longer delays (p < 0.001). On multivariate regression, emergent presentation was the strongest predictor of shorter delays (OR 0.058, p = 0.002), while treatment from a traditional or religious healer and initially seeking treatment at another hospital predicted longer delays (OR 7.6, p = 0.008, and OR 4.3, p  = 0.006, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Barriers to care leading to long delays in presentation are common in northern Ghana. Interventions should focus on educating traditional and religious healers in addition to building surgical capacity at district hospitals.

Local anesthesia underutilized for inguinal hernia repair in northern Ghana.

INTRODUCTION: Inguinal hernia repair is a common procedure and a priority for public health efforts in Ghana. It is essential that inguinal hernia repair be performed in a safe, efficient manner to justify its widespread use. Local anesthesia has many favorable properties and has been shown to be superior, compared to regional or general anesthesia, in terms of pain control, safety profile, cost-effectiveness, resources required, and time to discharge. Local anesthesia is recommended for open repair of reducible hernias, provided clinician experience, by multiple international guidelines. Regional anesthesia is associated with myocardial infarction and other complications, and its use is discouraged by multiple guidelines, especially in older patients. This study aims to assess the current state of anesthesia for inguinal hernia repair in the northern and transitional zone of Ghana. In addition we will assess the perceptions of different types of anesthesia along with understanding of evidence-based guidelines among clinicians participating in inguinal hernia repair. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of all inguinal hernia repairs for male patients, 18 and older, in over 90% of hospitals in northern Ghana. All 41 hospitals were visited and caselogs and patient charts were manually reviewed to extract data. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine predictors of local anesthesia use. We designed a survey instrument to assess the perceptions of physicians and anesthetists regarding different types of anesthesia for inguinal hernia repair. The survey was designed by a Ghanaian surgeon, reviewed by all co-authors, and tested prior to implementation using a sample (n = 8) of clinicians having similar practices to those of the survey population. Of 70 clinicians, 66 responded, yielding a response rate of 94%. RESULTS: 8080 patients underwent hernia repair of which 37% were performed under local anesthesia, while the majority, 60%, were performed under regional anesthesia. Negative predictors of local anesthesia were emergent repair (OR = 0.258, p < 0.001), surgery performed at a teaching hospital (OR = 0.105, p < 0.001), and bilateral hernia repair (OR = 0.374, p < 0.001). 1,839 (22.8%) of IH repairs were done on patients age 65 or older and RA was most frequently used among the elderly population (57.8%), while local anesthesia was used 39.5% of the time. Sixty-six clinicians participated in the survey with the majority reporting that local anesthesia requires fewer staff, less equipment, has a shorter recovery, is more cost-effective, and might be safer for patients. However 66% were unfamiliar with or incorrectly perceived international guidelines. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this study is the largest assessment of anesthesia use for inguinal hernia repair in an LMIC. Although the selection of anesthetic technique should be guided by a patient's general health, the anatomy of the hernia, and clinician judgment, local anesthesia appears to be underutilized in northern Ghana. Survey responses demonstrate high rates of unfamiliarity or incorrectly perceived evidence-based guidelines. Future research should assess how education on the benefits and technique of local anesthesia administration may further increase rates for inguinal hernia repair, especially for older patients.

The use of mesh for inguinal hernia repair in northern Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Despite the recognition that inguinal hernia (IH) repair is cost-effective, repair rates in low- and middle-income countries remain low. Estimated use of mesh in low- and middle-income countries also remains low despite publications about low-cost, noncommercial mesh. The purpose of our study was to assess the current state of IH repair in the northern and transitional zone of Ghana. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of surgical case logs of IH repairs from 2013 to 2017 in 41 hospitals was performed. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine predictors of mesh use. RESULTS: Eight thousand eighty male patients underwent IH repair. The range of IH repair in each region was 96 to 295 (overall 123) per 100,000 population. Most cases were performed at district hospitals (84%) and repaired nonurgently (93%) by nonsurgeon physicians (66%). Suture repair was most common (85%) although mesh was used in 15%. The strongest predictor of mesh use was when a surgeon performed surgery (odds ratio [OR] 3.13, P <0.001), followed by surgery being performed in a teaching hospital (OR 2.31, P <0.001). Repair at a regional hospital was a negative predictor of mesh use (OR 0.08, P <0.001) as was the use of general anesthesia (OR 0.40, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Most IH repairs are performed in district hospitals, by nonsurgeon physicians, and without mesh. Rates of repair and the use of mesh are higher than previous estimates in Ghana and Sub-Saharan Africa but not as high as high-income countries.

Cost and outcomes of open versus laparoscopic cholecystectomy in Mongolia.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the standard of care for biliary disease in developed countries. LC in resource-limited countries is increasing. This prospective, observational study evaluates costs, outcomes, and quality of life (QoL) associated with laparoscopic versus open cholecystectomy (OC) in Mongolia. METHODS: Patient demographics, outcomes, and total payer and patient costs were elicited from a convenience sample of patients undergoing cholecystectomy at four urban and three rural hospitals (February 2016-January 2017). QoL was assessed preoperatively and postoperatively using the five-level EQ-5D instrument. Perioperative complications, surgical fees, and QoL scores were evaluated for LC versus OC. Multivariate regression models were generated to adjust for differences between these groups. RESULTS: Two hundred and fifteen cholecystectomies were included (LC 122, OC 93). LC patients were more likely to have attended college and have insurance. Preoperative symptoms were comparable between groups. Total complication rate was 21.8% (no difference between groups); LC patients had less superficial infections (0% versus 10.8%). Median hospital length of stay (HLOS) and days to return to work were shorter after LC. QoL improved after surgery for both groups. Mean total payer and patient costs were higher for LC, but not significant (P-value 0.126). After adjustment, LC had significantly less complications, shorter HLOS, fewer days to return to work, greater improvement in QoL scores, and no increase in cost. CONCLUSIONS: LC is safe and beneficial to patients with biliary disease in Mongolia, and cost effective from the patient's and payer's perspective. Although equipment costs for LC may be more expensive than OC, there are likely significant cost savings related to reduced HLOS, shorter time off work, fewer complications, and improved QoL.

Local Research Catalyzes National Surgical Planning Comment on "Global Surgery - Informing National Strategies for Scaling Up Surgery in Sub-Saharan Africa".

In 2015 the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery (LCoGS) argued that surgical care is important to national health systems along with the economic viability of countries. Gajewski and colleagues outlined how the Commission's blueprint has been implemented in sub-Saharan Africa, including two funded research projects that were integrated into national surgical plans. Here, we outline how the five processes proposed by Gajewski and colleagues are critical to integrate research, policy, and on-the-ground implementation. We also propose that, moving forward, the most pressing adjunct in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) may be a better characterization of rural surgical practices through rigorous research along with models that enable lessons to inform national policy.

Where There is No EMS: Lay Providers in Emergency Medical Services Care - EMS as a Public Health Priority.

By 2030, road traffic accidents are projected to be the fifth leading cause of death worldwide, with 90% of these deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). While high-quality, prehospital trauma care is crucial to reduce the number of trauma-related deaths, effective Emergency Medical Systems (EMS) are limited or absent in many LMICs. Although lay providers have long been recognized as the front lines of informal trauma care in countries without formal EMS, few efforts have been made to capitalize on these networks. We suggest that lay providers can become a strong foundation for nascent EMS through a four-fold approach: strengthening and expanding existing lay provider training programs; incentivizing lay providers; strengthening locally available first aid supply chains; and using technology to link lay provider networks. Debenham S , Fuller M , Stewart M , Price RR . Where there is no EMS: lay providers in Emergency Medical Services care - EMS as a public health priority. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017;32(6):593-595.

Patient Perspectives on Barriers to Surgical Care and the Impact of Mobile Surgery in Ecuador.

BACKGROUND: An estimated 5 billion people worldwide lack access to timely safe surgical care (Gawande in Lancet 386(9993):523-525, 2015). A mere 6% of all surgical procedures occur in the poorest countries where over a third of the world's population lives (Meara et al. in Surgery 158(1):3-6, 2015). Mobile surgical units like the Cinterandes Foundation endeavor to bring surgical care directly to these communities who otherwise would lack access to safe surgery. This study examines the barriers patients encounter in seeking surgical care in rural communities of Ecuador and their impressions on how mobile surgery addresses such barriers. METHODS: Open interviews were conducted with Cinterandes' patients who had undergone an operation in the mobile surgical unit between 06/25/2013 and 06/25/2014 (n = 101). Interviews were structured to explore two main domains: (1) examining barriers patients have in accessing surgery, (2) assessing patients' opinion of how mobile surgery helped in overcoming such barriers. RESULTS: Patient inconvenience (70%), cost (21%), and lack of trust in local hospitals (24%) were the main cited barriers to surgical access. Increased patient convenience (53%), cheaper surgical care (34%), and trust in Cinterandes (47%) were the main cited benefits to mobile surgery. CONCLUSION: Mobile surgery provided by Cinterandes effectively overcomes many barriers patients encounter when seeking surgical care in rural Ecuador: decreased patient wait times, limited number of referrals to multiple locations, and decreased cost. Partnering with local clinics within the communities and bringing care much closer to patients' homes may provide a better patient friendly health care delivery system for rural Ecuador.