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Tips for developing a successful global health career

Tips for developing a successful global health career. Stephen Bickler, MD Associate Clinical Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics University of California, San Diego. Pediatric surgery in The Gambia. Main government referral hospital

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Tips for developing a successful global health career

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  1. Tips for developing a successful global health career Stephen Bickler, MD Associate Clinical Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics University of California, San Diego

  2. Pediatric surgery in The Gambia Main government referral hospital • All children aged <15 years treated for surgical problems during 29 months • Inpatient (n=1726) -34,625 total inpatient days -Average census = 40 pts • Outpatient (n=6606) • Operations (n=1347)

  3. Spectrum of surgical conditions Bickler et al, WHO 2000

  4. Estimated Need for Surgical Care Bickler,et al, Trop Doct, 2003

  5. Risk factors for surgical deaths • Analysis of pediatric surgical deaths (n=88) • Univariate and logistic regression • Highest in-hospital mortality • Children aged < 1 year (OR 2.9, p= .0005) • Burn diagnosis (OR 5.2, p <.0001) • Residence outside the Greater Banjul Area (OR 6.6, p =.01) • Female sex was associated with an increased risk of death (P=.065). PAPSA, 2005

  6. Incidence of common conditions Bickler, et al, Ped J Gastro Nutrition 2000

  7. Surgery in settings of limited resources

  8. Strategies for improving care …the challenges for pediatric surgery in developing countries are those of definition, policy and delivery. Bickler & Rode, Bull WHO, 2003 • The role of pediatric surgery in developing countries remains poorly defined • Health care policy does not reflect the surgical needs of children • Major problems with delivery of care • Long distances • Limited facilities, equipment, human resources • Shortage of qualified pediatric surgeons

  9. Strategies for improving care • Focusing our efforts • Demonstrate the need for pediatric surgical care • Define a cost-effective package of pediatric surgical care • Improve pediatric surgical care at the community level • Strengthen pediatric surgical education Bickler & Rode, Bull WHO, 2002

  10. Career tips • Travel as much as possible • Always go for the best opportunity, even though it might not be the most direct route to your eventual goal • Get as much overseas work experience as possible

  11. Career tips • Learn a foreign language • Acquire formal training in tropical medicine • Publish, publish, publish! • Create your own foundation

  12. Career tips • Identify mentors • Get yourself into a position where you can influence the bigger picture • Don’t be discouraged by traditional thinkers • Take risks in your career • Have fun!

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