Abstract
Background
In 2006 a program leading to a Master’s degree in Anesthesia (MMed) was established in Rwanda as a joint venture between the National University of Rwanda (NUR), the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society International Education Fund (CASIEF) and the American Society of Anesthesiologists Overseas Teaching Programme (ASAOTP). A MMed in Anesthesia is similar to a Fellowship in Canada and is common in many African countries. Most training programs are of three years duration. Rwanda has decided on a four-year program.
Principal findings
The background, organization and problems of the program are described. Challenges exist in recruiting residents and in developing an academic culture and evaluation system. Inadequate equipment and drug shortages limit the types of anesthesia provided. There is need for improvement in biomedical support. Volunteer Canadian and American anesthesiologists visit Rwanda to teach for a minimum period of one month. They instruct in the operating room and also in the classroom. While the focus of the program is on residents in anesthesia, the volunteers also teach the nurse anesthetists. The program has been in existence for only one year but progress has been made. The CASIEF will devote special attention to improving the management of pain.
Conclusions
In time, it is hoped that Rwanda will become self-sufficient in training its own anesthesiologists and in retaining them to provide anesthesia services throughout the country. As anesthesia and surgery evolve, there will be a need for sub-specialty training in anesthesia. It is hoped that, with continued assistance from the CASIEF and ASAOTP, the goal of the NUR will be achieved.
Résumé
Contexte
En 2006, un programme aboutissant à une maîtrise en anesthésie (MMed) a été établi au Rwanda en tant que coentreprise/projet commun entre la National University of Rwanda (NUR), le Fonds international pour l’éducation de la Société canadienne des anesthésiologistes (CASIEF) et le Programme d’enseignement à l’étranger de la Société américaine des anesthésiologistes (ASAOTP). Une MMed en anesthésie est l’équivalent d’un Fellowship au Canada et est courante dans de nombreux pays africains. La plupart des programmes de formation durent trois ans. Le Rwanda a toutefois décidé de favoriser un programme d’une durée de quatre ans.
Constatations principales
Le contexte, l’organisation et les problèmes du programme sont décrits. Des défis existent dans le recrutement de résidents et le développement d’une culture d’érudition ainsi que d’un système d’évaluation. Un équipement inadapté et des pénuries de médicaments limitent les types d’anesthésie offerts. Il faut améliorer le soutien biomédical. Des anesthésiologistes bénévoles canadiens et américains se rendent au Rwanda pour enseigner pour une période d’un mois au minimum. Ils enseignent aussi bien au bloc opératoire qu’en salle de classe. Bien que le programme soit principalement orienté vers les résidents en anesthésie, les bénévoles peuvent également enseigner aux infirmiers/ières anesthésistes. Le programme n’existe que depuis un an mais des progrès ont déjà été faits. Le CASIEF portera une attention particulière à l’amélioration de la prise en charge de la douleur.
Conclusions
En temps voulu, nous espérons que le Rwanda pourra gérer de façon indépendante la formation de ses anesthésiologistes et les inciter à rester au pays afin d’offrir des soins d’anesthésie sur place. L’anesthésie et la chirurgie évoluant, des formations surspécialisées en anesthésie deviendront nécessaires. Nous espérons que, forte du soutien continu du CASIEF et de l’ASAOTP, la NUR pourra atteindre ses objectifs.
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The Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society International Education Fund (CASIEF) and the American Society of Anesthesiologists Overseas Teaching Programme (ASAOTP) provide funding for the project. Dr. Enright is Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society International Education Fund.
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Enright, A. Anesthesia training in Rwanda. Can J Anesth 54, 935–939 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03026799
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03026799