There is a deficiency of anesthesia providers in Malawi which is being addressed by increasing the number of anesthesia clinical officer students. Our group has partnered with the teaching program in Lilongwe Malawi to help build the students' foundational knowledge. This trip will focus on bringing a "train the trainer" simulation course to the clinical instructors in Lilongwe Malawi with the hope of increasing their comfort with simulation training so they will incorporate simulation into their curriculum in our absence. We will also provide didactic lectures and aid in clinical training for the anesthesia clinical officer students and residents while we are there.
Anesthesia clinical officer students in Malawi will benefit for expert teaching from our group, in addition the anesthesia clinical officer instructors will gain increase knowledge and comfort with simulation training as they partner with our team through the train the trainer course.
This visit will allow the anesthesia clinical officer students and instructors to work side by side with faculty from a high income country. Once the in country clinical instructors feel comfortable with all aspects of simulation training, I am confident that they will use simulation training as a part of their curriculum. This partnership will continue to include an ongoing relationship geared to improve the educational experience of the students. These students will work throughout the country providing anesthesia care to all age groups in small districts hospitals. A strong foundation of knowledge for the anesthesia clinical officers will increase the quality of anesthesia care throughout the country.
This was an incredibly successful trip. Thanks to Doximity's support we were able to build upon the "Train the Trainer" simulation course while we were there. We used the simulator daily to teach vital anesthesia skills to the Anesthesia clinical officer students. We also spent time in the theaters providing clinical teaching as well. It was a fantastic and awarding experience.
