Open AccessAn OxPLORE Initiative Evaluating Children's Surgery Resources Worldwide: A Cross‐sectional Implementation of the OReCS Document
Author(s) -
Ravi Krupa,
Killen Annabel,
Alexander Angus,
BellDavies Frances,
Biganiro Sebintu James,
Brazeal Aurelia,
Butoyi Jean Marie Vianney,
Diaz Fabio Edgardo,
Drabile Romeo,
Fanny Marvin,
Fernie Lucila,
Gunawardana Shan,
Hartley Emma,
Hawu Yolisa N.,
Hendron Holly,
Joseph Stephanie Alcine,
Lamahewage Ananda,
Mahagedera Ruwantha,
Manirambona Emery,
Morisho Benjamin Kitambala,
Muchunu Patrick,
Niyukuri Alliance,
Ntaganda Edmond,
Orliacq Francisco,
Orliacq Josefina,
Wobenjo Adili,
Young Pablo,
Lakhoo Kokila,
Ford Kathryn
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
world journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.115
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1432-2323
pISSN - 0364-2313
DOI - 10.1007/s00268-021-06377-w
Subject(s) - audit , specialty , medicine , vascular surgery , usability , cross sectional study , health care , family medicine , medical emergency , cardiac surgery , surgery , accounting , business , pathology , human–computer interaction , computer science , economics , economic growth
Background The Global Initiative for Children's Surgery (GICS) group produced the Optimal Resources for Children's Surgery (OReCS) document in 2019, listing standards of children's surgical care by level of healthcare facilities within low resource settings. We have previously created and piloted an audit tool based on the OReCS criteria in a high‐income setting. In this study, we aimed to validate its use in identifying gaps in children's surgery provision worldwide. Methods Our OReCS audit tool was implemented in 10 hospitals providing children's surgery across eight countries. Collaborators were recruited via the Oxford Paediatrics Linking Our Research with Electives (OxPLORE) international network of medical students and trainees. The audit tool measured a hospital's current capacity for children's surgery. Data were analysed firstly to express the percentage of ‘essential’ criteria met for each specialty. Secondly, the ‘OxPLORE method’ was used to allocate each hospital specialty a level based on procedures performed and resources available. A User Evaluation Tool (UET) was developed to obtain feedback on the ease of use of the tool. Results The percentage of essential criteria met within each category varied widely between hospitals. The level given to hospitals for subspecialties based on OReCS criteria often did not reflect their self‐defined level. The UET indicated the audit tool was practicable across multiple settings. Conclusions We recommend the use of the OReCS criteria to identify areas for local hospital improvement and inform national children's surgical plans. We have made informed suggestions to increase usability of the OReCS audit tool.