Nathan Harer
Research Mentor: Dhanalakshmi Thiyagarajan
Mentor Department: Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medicine
Author(s): Zoë Zimmer, Dr. Kwaku Asah-Opoku, Dr. Henry Kumi, Dr. Dhanalakshmi Thiyagarajan, Dr. Emma Lawrence
Session: Session 5 (2:00 PM – 2:50 PM)
Presentation Type: Poster 9
Abstract
Globally, access to safe and quality surgical care, especially for women and girls who experience disproportionate rates of morbidity and mortality secondary to surgical-based disease, has been identified as an important step to help achieve sustainable development goals. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) this goal faces multiple barriers unique to the setting of care. One unifying factor is that access in itself is insufficient; quality surgical care is necessary to reach these goals. Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is a standardized approach to perioperative care that has been shown to improve surgical morbidity in high income settings but has yet to be widely applied in LMICs and in obstetric and gynecologic care, which is the most surgically active specialty in the global setting. General aim: The purpose of this study is to describe obstetric and gynecologic surgery patients’ and clinicians’ attitudes surrounding ERAS protocols. This information will be used to craft a contextually-tailored ERAS protocol and patient education tool to aid optimal implementation of ERAS at our clinical site, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) and will serve as an example for obstetric and gynecologic ERAS implementation in other LMICs. Methodology: In order to better understand patients’ and clinicians’ knowledge of ERAS and the possible challenges with implementing ERAS LMICs, we plan to conduct 40 semi-structured qualitative interviews with stakeholders within the healthcare system. We will conduct 20 interviews with patients who have completed obstetric or gynecologic surgery and another 20 interviews with obstetrics and gynecology surgery clinicians, including obstetric and gynecological surgeons, pharmacist, nurses, anesthesiologist, and house staff. Interviews will be transcribed and qualitatively coded to identify patterns, categories, and themes. Expected Outcome: We hypothesize that patient and clinician stakeholders receiving and providing obstetric and gynecologic surgery care will be able to provide a unique and vital perspective on the barriers, benefits, and strategies to potential implementation of ERAS protocols within their clinical setting.
