An International Surgical Rotation as a Systems-Based Elective: The Botswana-University of Pennsylvania Surgical Experience

ObjectiveThere is a growing need to address the global burden of surgical disease along with increasing interest in international surgical practice, necessitating an understanding of the challenges and issues that arise on a systems level when practicing abroad.DesignThis elective is a month-long rotation in which senior surgical residents participate in patient care as part of a surgical team in the main tertiary and teaching hospital in Gaborone, the capital city of Botswana. Clinical experience is combined with formal readings and educational sessions, with the attending surgeon supervising the program to develop a systems-based curriculum that contextualizes the clinical experience. A formal debriefing and written reflections by the residents at the conclusion of the rotation are used to qualitatively assess resident development and insight into systems-based international surgical practice.SettingPrincess Marina Hospital, Gaborone, Botswana.ParticipantsGeneral surgery residents in their fourth clinical year of training.ResultsOur elective met important requirements outlined in the literature for foreign practice, including adequate supervision of the American trainees and care to not detract from local trainees’ educational experience. Residents’ debriefing and written reflections demonstrated an increased understanding of systems-based practice and awareness of issues important to successful international surgical practice and collaboration.ConclusionsOur global surgery elective with a focus on systems-based practice sensitizes residents to the challenges and issues they must be aware of when practicing internationally.