Teach Back Method: Improving Healthcare Provider Counseling of Pediatric Patients with TB and their Caregivers in Chongqing, China

: 1.001_HHR The Effects of Traditional Gender Roles and Perceptions on the Post-Graduation Choices of Female Medical Students in Khartoum University, Sudan S.M.H. Abdalla, Z. Swar Aldahab; Faculty of Medicine University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan Background: Traditional Gender roles and the perceptions of what is expected of women in society, heavily influence women’s career choices in Sudan. Female medical students constitute more than two third of the student population at the University of Khartoum and other universities in Sudan. However, the number of working female doctors is less than half of the workforce. Moreover, more female doctors specialize in the fields of Paediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynaecology in comparison to Surgery. The disproportion between the student population and working doctors as well as the aggregation in one or two specialities constitute an additional burden to an already weak healthcare system. This study aims to identify the causes of such disproportion and the community preference for female doctors in different specialties. Methods: A cross sectional study with two sets of questionnaires. One questionnaire gathered data from 150 female medical students with clinical experience (4th, 5th, and 6th year students) at the University of Khartoum. The questionnaire focused on preferences after graduation. The second questionnaire targeted two counties, Alriaad (high income) and Abuadam (low income) with a total of 320 participants to assess the community gender preferences for doctors in different specialties. Findings: 2.7% of female students stated that they will not work after graduation. Additionally, 18.7% of female students will not work after graduation if they get married or are to work in remote areas with strong views on women roles in society. The perception of female medical students about the community’s preference for male surgeons is in contrast with the community’s stated preferences. While 19.1% of female students list surgery as their first option, they list fear of community acceptance as a factor in choosing their specialty. However, the vast majority of people express no preference for male over female surgeons and only 16.9% stated that they will only go to a female surgeon if no male surgeon was available. Interpretation: The disproportion in numbers of female medical students and female doctor affects the workforce and the healthcare system and is an issue that needs to be addressed by the Ministry of Health in Sudan. Source of Funding: None. Abstract #: 1.002_HHR: 1.002_HHR Outcomes and Predictors of Mortality in Neurosurgery Patients at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Mbarara, Uganda J. Abdelgadir, E. Smith, M. Punchak, J. Vissoci, C. Staton, L. Park, A. Muhindo, D. Kitya, M. Haglund; Duke University, Durham, USA, The University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, USA, Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Mbarara, Uganda Background: The unmet surgical need, specifically neurosurgical need, in Uganda is significant, yet only two public hospitals currently perform neurosurgery in the country. This study examines the epidemiology and outcomes of neurosurgical conditions presenting to one of 12 regional referral hospitals in Uganda, in an effort to understand the neurosurgical needs of this population. Methods: The study was conducted at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH), in southwestern Uganda. Demographics,

Program/Project Purpose: The world's medical community is launching a dramatically accelerated fight against tuberculosis (TB) and those most affected by it: the poorest, most vulnerable, socially marginalized, and inequitably served. From among these vulnerable groups are children. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to provide technical assistance to a large pediatric hospital in Chongqing, China to improve the way they counsel their patients with TB and their caregivers.
Structure/Method/Design: Focus groups composed of staff nurses and physicians were asked how they currently approach TB and TB counseling. Caregivers of children with TB were also asked how they would like to be counseled.
Outcome & Evaluation: Two gaps were discovered: (1) lack of patient education materials such as handouts or posters and (2) the need for healthcare provider training on patient education delivery. To address these gaps, hospital staff were trained on the Teach-Back Method, an effective, time efficient, and widely used patient education technique targeted to improve patient adherence to treatment. Likewise, staff were supplied with simple and culturally-appropriate patient education handouts detailing TB signs and symptoms, treatment, follow-up care, and prevention.
Going Forward: It is the hope that these two approaches will lead to the continued implementation of the Teach-Back Method with the broader goal of empowering patients with TB and their caregivers and improving their adherence to TB treatment. Background: Traditional Gender roles and the perceptions of what is expected of women in society, heavily influence women's career choices in Sudan. Female medical students constitute more than two third of the student population at the University of Khartoum and other universities in Sudan. However, the number of working female doctors is less than half of the workforce. Moreover, more female doctors specialize in the fields of Paediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynaecology in comparison to Surgery. The disproportion between the student population and working doctors as well as the aggregation in one or two specialities constitute an additional burden to an already weak healthcare system. This study aims to identify the causes of such disproportion and the community preference for female doctors in different specialties.

Methods:
A cross sectional study with two sets of questionnaires. One questionnaire gathered data from 150 female medical students with clinical experience (4th, 5th, and 6th year students) at the University of Khartoum. The questionnaire focused on preferences after graduation. The second questionnaire targeted two counties, Alriaad (high income) and Abuadam (low income) with a total of 320 participants to assess the community gender preferences for doctors in different specialties.
Findings: 2.7% of female students stated that they will not work after graduation. Additionally, 18.7% of female students will not work after graduation if they get married or are to work in remote areas with strong views on women roles in society. The perception of female medical students about the community's preference for male surgeons is in contrast with the community's stated preferences. While 19.1% of female students list surgery as their first option, they list fear of community acceptance as a factor in choosing their specialty. However, the vast majority of people express no preference for male over female surgeons and only 16.9% stated that they will only go to a female surgeon if no male surgeon was available.
Interpretation: The disproportion in numbers of female medical students and female doctor affects the workforce and the healthcare system and is an issue that needs to be addressed by the Ministry of Health in Sudan.