Loading... please wait

A Blueprint for Sustainable Access to Surgical Care

SpeakerS:

Betsy McKay, Senior Writer, The Wall Street Journal
Kristie Magee Porcaro, Chief Strategy Officer, Operation Smile

With Core Programming Partner

“After 42 years, we are really going to start to pay attention to how we use education as our multiplier to educate and train more healthcare providers in those communities.” Kristie Magee Porcaro

Key takeaways:

  • Education as a multiplier: Utilizing education to train and empower local healthcare providers is essential for expanding access to surgical care. Operation Smile emphasizes the importance of educating more medical professionals to address the global shortage of surgeons.
  • Partnerships are crucial: Collaborative efforts with governments, local communities, corporations, and other NGOs are necessary to create sustainable impact in healthcare delivery overcoming access barriers to care.
  • Locally led, globally supported model: Operation Smile operates on a model where the majority of volunteers come from the countries they serve, ensuring culturally appropriate care that effectively addresses community needs. 
  • Hub and spoke model for healthcare delivery: Implementing the hub and spoke model allows for centralized training hubs that support smaller, local facilities, enhancing knowledge and resource dissemination to remote communities. 
  • Data-Driven approach: Collecting and analyzing data on patient needs, barriers to care, and health outcomes is vital for informed decision-making and improving surgical access. 
  • Addressing barriers to care: Barriers such as lack of infrastructure, shortage of trained personnel, and accessibility issues need to be identified and mitigated to improve surgical access. Listening to patients and communities is key to understanding these barriers. 
  • Innovation and adaptation: Embracing innovation and continuously learning from experiences are important for adapting to changing global health landscapes and for the organization’s growth over the next decades. 

Action items:

  • Expand training programs: Develop and implement comprehensive education initiatives to train more local surgeons and healthcare professionals, using the hub and spoke model to maximize reach. 
  • Strengthen partnerships: Pursue and enhance collaborations with governments, corporations, NGOs, and local communities to pool resources and expertise for greater impact. 
  • Enhance data collection: Invest in robust data collection and analysis systems to better understand patient demographics, barriers to care, and surgical outcomes, informing strategies and operations. 
  • Focus on local leadership: Empower local staff and volunteers by providing leadership opportunities and necessary support to ensure sustainability and cultural relevancy of healthcare initiatives. 
  • Address supply chain challenges: Identify and work to resolve issues in the supply chain, such as shortages of anesthesia and medical equipment, possibly through partnerships and advocacy.
  • Increase awareness of barriers: Conduct research and engage with communities to uncover specific barriers patients face, using this information to tailor interventions and improve access to care. 
  • Promote innovation: Encourage innovative solutions and approaches within the organization and among partners to address emerging health challenges and improve service delivery. 
  • Advocate for policy change: Engage with policymakers to advocate for increased attention and resources towards essential surgical care and addressing systemic health disparities.
  • Community engagement: Strengthen community outreach programs to educate the public about available surgical services and the importance of seeking timely care.

Copyright © 2024 Concordia.

All rights reserved. Concordia is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan organization.