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STFM is pleased to announce the launch of the revamped Residency Faculty Fundamentals Certificate Program. This online, self-directed program provides foundational training for residency faculty with 14 courses and assignments [...]

Background: Like many developing countries, Guyana has a severe shortage of surgeons. Rather than rely on overseas training, Guyana developed its own Diploma in Surgery and asked for assistance from the Canadian Association of General Surgeons (CAGS). This paper reviews the initial results of Guyana's first postgraduate training program. Methods: We assisted with program prerequisites, including needs assessment, proposed curriculum, University of Guyana and Ministry of Health approval, external partnership and funding. We determined the outputs and outcomes of the program after 2 years, and we evaluated the impact of the program through a quantitative/ qualitative questionnaire administered to all program participants. Results: Five residents successfully completed the 2-year program and are working in regional hospitals. Another 9 residents are in the training program. Twenty-four modules or short courses have been facilitated, alternating Guyanese with visiting Canadian surgical faculty members coordinated through CAGS. A postgraduate structure, including an Institute for Health Sciences Education and Surgical Postgraduate Education Committee, has been developed at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). An examination structure similar to Canada's has been established. Hospital staff morale is greater, surgical care is more standardized and academic opportunities have been enhanced at GPHC. Four regional hospitals have welcomed the new graduates, and surgical services have already improved. Canadian surgeons have a greater understanding of and commitment to surgical development in low-income countries. Conclusion: Guyana has proven that, with visiting faculty assistance, it can mount its own postgraduate training suitable to national needs and will provide a career path to encourage its own doctors to remain and serve their country. Contexte : A l'instar d'un grand nombre de pays en developpement, la Guyana connait une grave penurie de chirurgiens. Plutot que de compter sur l'enseignement qui se donne dans d'autres pays, elle a etabli son propre diplome en chirurgie et sollicite l'aide de l'Association canadienne des chirurgiens generaux (ACCG). Le present rapport expose les resultats initiaux du premier programme de formation superieure de la Guyana. Methodes : L'aide que nous avons apportee visait les prealables du programme avec l'evaluation des besoins, le programme pedagogique propose, l'obtention du feu vert de l'Universite de la Guyana et du ministere de la Sante, ainsi que la collaboration et le financement exterieurs. Nous avons jauge les produits et les resultats du programme apres 2 ans et evalue son incidence par un questionnaire quantitatif et qualitatif auquel ont repondu tous les participants. Resultats : Cinq residents qui ont mene a bien le programme de 2 ans et travaillent dans des hopitaux regionaux; 9 autres suivent le programme de formation. On a presente 24 cours de courte duree ou modules <> avec des enseignants guyaniens en alternance avec des enseignants canadiens en chirurgie, le tout etant coordonne par l'ACCG. Une structure de formation superieure avec notamment un Institute for Health Sciences Education et un Surgical Postgraduate Education Committee ont vu le jour a la Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Une structure d'examen semblable a celle qui existe au Canada a ete mise en place. Grace a la GPHC, le moral est meilleur chez les membres du personnel hospitalier; les soins chirurgicaux sont plus uniformes et les possibilites de formation, plus riches. Quatre hopitaux regionaux ont accueilli les nouveaux diplomes et les services chirurgicaux se sont deja ameliores. Les chirurgiens canadiens comprennent mieux et appuient davantage le developpement de la chirurgie dans les pays a faible revenu. Conclusion : La Guyana a prouve que, avec l'aide d'enseignants de l'exterieur, elle peut organiser sa propre formation superieure en fonction des besoins nationaux et tracer un parcours de carriere qui encouragera les medecins guyaniens a rester au service de leur pays., Guyana and its population of 739 000 (1) is nestled between Venezuela, Suriname and Brazil on the Caribbean coast of South America. Over the past 4 decades, political instability and [...]