Why bother going overseas as a trainee ?
(The following are downloadable pdf articles )
Senior Fellow, Beit Trust CURE International Hospital
PO Box 31236, Blantyre 3, Malawi
when: 1/8/05 to 31/7/06
i) Schedule - Monday: all day theatre list (elective paediatrics),
Tuesday: (am) Adult trauma list (pm) paed clinic, Wed: all day theatre list
(elective paeds), Thursday: district visits, Friday: ward round and research
ii) Cases - I have learned how to do: club feet (posteromedial release,
wedge tarsectomy and triple arthrodesis), angular limb deformities
(supracondylar osteotomies for genuvalus and flexion deformities of the knee,
and high tibial osteotomies and double osteotomies for genu varus and blounts),
hand surgery (syndactyly and release of burns contractures), pseudarthosis of
tibia surgery (both fibula transfer and ilizarov frames - 6 in the last 3
months), post infection surgery (sequestrectomies and arthrodesis of old septic
joints), plastics (split and full thickness skin grafts as well as
transposition, rotation and pedicle fasciocutaneous flaps). I have also been
involved in many other unusual operations. We use a parallel list technique for
training allowing maximal operating experience. I have operate on 14 cases per
week on average since coming here.
iii) Research - there are many opportunities for research. In the last
few months I have joined working on three projects that started before I arrived
and was able to present 3 papers from the CURE hospital at the Association of
Surgeons of East Africa Conference in Dar Es Salaam last week. I'm sure that I
will be able to publish several papers from my time here.
iv) Why I think it is a worthwhile experience ?
So far it has been a very positive experience, both personally and
professionally. I have seen my surgical skills growing and been able to take on
more complex cases. From a personal point of view it has opened my eyes to a new
culture and a different way of doing things. It has made me appreciate the NHS a
whole lot more! It has also made me realise what a few men can do to change
things when they put their minds to it - which has been very inspiring .
Top tips in preparation might be appreciated:
Start early, can get a full year approved as clinical training from SAC /
PMETB . The latter can discouraging about fellowships.
I had a lot of support financially from:
Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh: Cutner Travelling Fellowship,
World
Orthopaedic Concern: Treloar Gauvain Travelling Fellowship, British
Orthopaedic Foot Surgery Society: Travelling Fellowship, British Orthopaedic
Foundation: Travelling Fellowship, Royal Society of Medicine: Ellison Cliffe
Travelling Fellowship, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow:
Ethicon Foundation Fellowship, Biomet Merck Ltd. Travelling Fellowship,
Synthes Ltd. Travelling Fellowship
De Soutter Medical Ltd. Travelling Fellowship, Arthrex Ltd. Travelling
Fellowship, Orthodynamics Ltd. Travelling Fellowship, Zimmer Ltd Travelling
Fellowship, Joint Replacement Instrumentation Ltd Travelling Fellowship,
Stryker Ltd Travelling Fellowship
All the very best,
Alan
Dr Alan Norrish
Senior Fellow
Beit Trust CURE International Hospital
PO Box 31236
Blantyre 3
Malawi
norrish@africa-online.net]
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