Health system costs of a breast cancer early diagnosis programme in a rural district of Rwanda: a retrospective, cross-sectional economic analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to quantify the health system cost of the first 2 years of a Breast Cancer Early Detection (BCED) programme in a rural district in Rwanda. We also aimed to estimate the cost of implementing the programme in other districts with different referral pathways and identify opportunities for enhanced cost efficiency. DESIGN: Retrospective, cross-sectional analysis using time-driven activity-based costing, based on timed patient clinical encounters, retrospective patient data and unit costs of resources abstracted from administrative and finance records. SETTING: The BCED programme focused on timely evaluation of individuals with breast symptoms. The study evaluated the health system cost of the BCED programme at seven health centres (HCs) in Burera district and Butaro Cancer Centre of Excellence (BCCOE) at Butaro District Hospital. OUTCOME MEASURES: Health system costs per patient visit and cost per cancer diagnosed were quantified. Total start-up and recurring operational costs were also estimated, as well as health system costs of different scale-up adaptations in other districts. RESULTS: One-time start-up costswere US$36 917, recurring operational costswere US$67 711 and clinical costswere US$14 824 over 2 years. Clinical breast examinations (CBE) at HCs cost US$3.27/visit. At BCCOE, CBE-only visits cost US$13.47/visit, CBE/ultrasound US$14.79/visit and CBE/ultrasound/biopsy/pathology US$147.81/visit. Overall, clinical cost per breast cancer diagnosed was US$1482. Clinicalcost drivers were personnel at HCs (55%) and biopsy/pathology supplies at BCCOE (46%). In other districts, patients experience a longer breast evaluation pathway, adding about US$14.00/patient; this could be decreased if ultrasound services were decentralised. CONCLUSION: Clinical costs associated with BCED services at HCs were modest, similar to other general outpatient services. The BCED programme's start-up and operational costs were high but could be reduced by using local trainers and virtual mentorship. In other districts, decentralising ultrasound and/or biopsies to district hospitals could reduce costs.

Rapid, remote education for point-of-care ultrasound among non-physician emergency care providers in a resource limited setting.

INTRODUCTION: Access to high-quality emergency care in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) is lacking. Many countries utilise a strategy known as "task-shifting" where skills and responsibilities are distributed in novel ways among healthcare personnel. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has the potential to significantly improve emergency care in LMICs. METHODS: POCUS was incorporated into a training program for a ten-person cohort of non-physician Emergency Care Providers (ECPs) in rural Uganda. We performed a prospective observational evaluation on the impact of a remote, rapid review of POCUS studies on the primary objective of ECP ultrasound quality and secondary objective of ultrasound utilisation. The study was divided into four phases over 11 months: an initial in-person training month, two middle month blocks where ECPs performed ultrasounds independently without remote electronic feedback, and the final months when ECPs performed ultrasounds independently with remote electronic feedback. Quality was assessed on a previously published eight-point ordinal scale by a U.S.-based expert sonographer and rapid standardised feedback was given to ECPs by local staff. Sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound exam findings for the Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) was calculated. RESULTS: Over the study duration, 1153 ultrasound studies were reviewed. Average imaging frequency per ECP dropped 61% after the initial in-person training month (p = 0.01) when ECPs performed ultrasound independently, but rebounded once electronic feedback was initiated (p = 0.001), with an improvement in quality from 3.82 (95% CI, 3.32-4.32) to 4.68 (95% CI, 4.35-5.01) on an eight-point scale. The sensitivity and specificity of FAST exam during the initial training period was 77.8 (95% CI, 59.2-83.0) and 98.5 (95% CI, 93.3-99.9), respectively. Sensitivity improved 88% compared to independent, non-feedback months whereas specificity was unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Remotely delivered quality assurance feedback is an effective educational tool to enhance provider skill and foster continued and sustainable use of ultrasound in LMICs.

Implementation and evaluation of an innovative leadership and teacher training program for non-physician emergency medicine practitioners in Uganda.

INTRODUCTION: Leadership and teaching skills are essential, but not often emphasized, components of medical training. As emergency care develops as a specialty in Uganda, two cadres of providers are being trained: physicians and non-physician clinicians (NPCs). Building formal leadership and educator training into these curricula is essential. METHODS: A week long continuing education (CE) course on leadership and teaching is described and evaluated for effectiveness using Kirkpatrick's framework for learner-centred outcomes. The emergency care trained NPCs participated in a week-long course consisting of lectures, role-playing, and small group discussions, as well as a personality self-assessment. The evaluation process consisted of: 1) an immediate post-course survey to measure learner satisfaction, 2) a retrospective, pre/post self-assessment with a Likert-type scoring tool to measure knowledge gains, and 3) a three-month follow up survey and structured interviews to measure knowledge retention and behaviour change in practice. RESULTS: All 15 NPCs participated in the evaluation process. Learner satisfaction was high with an average score of 9.3 (on a 1-10 scale) for course content, amount learned, and use of time. Participants reported gains in knowledge for each of the 24 competencies measured, with an average difference in pre- and post-course Likert scores of 1.11 (on a scale of 1-5). Lastly, all 15 participants shared detailed examples of using course content in practice three months after the course finished. The most frequently mentioned themes were "giving and receiving feedback," "delegating and assigning tasks," and "communication." CONCLUSION: This course was a successful CE intervention in this setting as measured by Kirkpatrick's framework. The most frequently mentioned concepts used in practice point to the NPCs ability to take on leadership roles in this setting. Further research and evaluation methods should focus on the influence of culture and personalities on leadership education and translation into practice in an EM setting.

Rapid, remote education for point-of-care ultrasound among non-physician emergency care providers in a resource limited setting

Introduction : Access to high-quality emergency care in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) is lacking. Many countries utilise a strategy known as "task-shifting" where skills and responsibilities are distributed in novel ways among healthcare personnel. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has the potential to significantly improve emergency care in LMICs.Methods:POCUS was incorporated into a training program for a ten-person cohort of non-physician Emergency Care Providers (ECPs) in rural Uganda. We performed a prospective observational evaluation on the impact of a remote, rapid review of POCUS studies on the primary objective of ECP ultrasound quality and secondary objective of ultrasound utilisation. The study was divided into four phases over 11 months: an initial in-person training month, two middle month blocks where ECPs performed ultrasounds independently without remote electronic feedback, and the final months when ECPs performed ultrasounds independently with remote electronic feedback. Quality was assessed on a previously published eight-point ordinal scale by a U.S.-based expert sonographer and rapid standardised feedback was given to ECPs by local staff. Sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound exam findings for the Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) was calculated.Results:Over the study duration, 1153 ultrasound studies were reviewed. Average imaging frequency per ECP dropped 61% after the initial in-person training month (p = 0.01) when ECPs performed ultrasound independently, but rebounded once electronic feedback was initiated (p = 0.001), with an improvement in quality from 3.82 (95% CI, 3.32­4.32) to 4.68 (95% CI, 4.35­5.01) on an eight-point scale. The sensitivity and specificity of FAST exam during the initial training period was 77.8 (95% CI, 59.2­83.0) and 98.5 (95% CI, 93.3­99.9), respectively. Sensitivity improved 88% compared to independent, non-feedback months whereas specificity was unchanged.Conclusions : Remotely delivered quality assurance feedback is an effective educational tool to enhance provider skill and foster continued and sustainable use of ultrasound in LMICs

Upper extremity injury management by non-physician emergency practitioners in rural Uganda: a pilot study

Introduction: Improper management of and resultant poor outcomes from upper extremity injuries can be economically devastating to patients who rely on manual labour for survival. This is a pilot study using the Quick DASH Survey (disabilities of arm; shoulder and hand); a validated outcome measurement tool. Our objective was to assess functional outcomes of patients with acute upper extremity injuries who were cared for by non-physician clinicians as part of a task-shifting programme. Methods :This pilot study was performed at the Karoli Lwanga Hospital Emergency Centre (EC) in Uganda. Patients were identified retrospectively by querying the EC quality assurance database. An initial list of all patients who sustained traumatic injury (road traffic accident; assault) between March 2012 and February 2013 was narrowed to patients with upper extremity trauma; those 18 years and older; and those with cellular phone access. This subset of patients was called and administered the Quick DASH. The results were subsequently analysed using the standardised DASH metrics. These outcome measures were further analysed based upon injury type (simple laceration; complex laceration; fracture and subluxation). Results :There were a total of 25 initial candidates; of which only 17 were able to complete the survey. Using the Quick DASH Outcome Measure; our 17 patients had a mean score of 28.86 (range 5.0-56.8). Conclusions : When compared to the standardised Quick DASH outcomes (no work limitation at 27.5 vs. work limited by injury at 52.6) the non-physician clinicians appear to be performing upper extremity repairs with good outcomes. The key variable to successful repair was the initial injury type. Although accommodations needed to be made to the standard Quick DASH protocol; the tool appears to be usable in non-traditional settings