Long-Term Follow-Up of Humanitarian Surgeries: Outcomes and Patient Satisfaction in Rural Ghana.
J Surg Res
; 246: 106-112, 2020 02.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-31563830
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Nongovernmental organizations conduct short-term surgical outreach to lessen the substantial global burden of surgical disease. Long-term outcomes of short-term surgical missions (STSMs) are underreported, raising concern for clinical sequelae and patient satisfaction with essential general surgeries. This study aims to describe long-term follow-up results of one general surgical nongovernmental organization's provision of care in rural Ghana with focus on patient-related outcomes and satisfaction.METHODS:
From 2013 to 2018, Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital in Mampong, Ghana, was the host site of annual 1-wk International Surgical Health Initiative (ISHI) STSMs. Beginning in 2016, an ISHI provider-hosted follow-up clinics augmented by mobile telephone support. Surgical patients from 2013 to 2016 were contacted by the local nursing staff and evaluated for long-term outcomes and self-reported satisfaction.RESULTS:
Sixty-nine of 256 patients (27%) responded; 39 patients (57%) were interviewed and examined by an ISHI physician, whereas 30 patients (43%) received mobile telephone follow-up. Mean age was 47 (±18) y, with 44% female patients, and mean duration of follow-up was 1.5 (±1) y. Eleven patients (16%) had surgical and anesthesia complications. All patients reported improvement in symptoms and activity level. Eighty-six patients reported complete satisfaction (5/5). Factors associated with reduced patient satisfaction (<5/5) included increased age and complications.CONCLUSIONS:
To our knowledge, this is one of the first studies focusing on patient-reported outcomes for the evaluation of long-term follow-up of general surgery STSMs. With mobile technology, long-term follow-up is achievable toward obtaining meaningful outcomes. Complications in this series are within an acceptable range, whereas symptom improvement and overall satisfaction are high.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Complicaciones Posoperatorias
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Procedimientos Quirúrgicos Operativos
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Satisfacción del Paciente
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Altruismo
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Misiones Médicas
Tipo de estudio:
Etiology_studies
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Observational_studies
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Prognostic_studies
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Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Adult
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Aged
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
País como asunto:
Africa
Idioma:
En
Año:
2020
Tipo del documento:
Article