Using video-based training of surgical procedures can impact low resource settings

Anastasia Martin1, Katy Kuhrt2, Lusako Mwaikasu3, Andrew Shennan2  

More than 95% of perinatal morbidities and mortalities occur in low-resource settings1.Dissemination and training of novel interventions in those settings are challenging, which are major barriers to reducing maternal morbidities and mortalities.

Recently, we developed an educational video describing transabdominal cerclage (TAC) insertion2  and reflected on its potential impact in low-resource settings, by presenting 2 examples where it informed the care of patients in Tanzania, with positive outcomes.

 

The video was viewed by a consultant obstetrician in Mwanza, Tanzania. He was experienced in performing vaginal cerclage but had never previously inserted a TAC. After learning the procedure through the video, the obstetrician performed the surgical procedure in 2 cases. In both cases transabdominal cerclage (TAC) was inserted imitating the surgical procedure observed via the video. No additional practice or training was done.