The Effectiveness Of The Dar Es Salaam Neurosurgery Training Course On Self- Reported Neurosurgical Competence

Abstract

Objectives: The 8th annual practical course on neurosurgery, neurotrauma and neurocritical care was held between 21st-25th March 2022 at Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute (MOI), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. We describe the course participants and their self-reported change in knowledge and confidence in neurosurgical topics following the course.  Methods: During online registration participants were asked to rate their existing knowledge and confidence in neurosurgical topics on a scale of one (poor) to five (excellent). After the course, participants were asked the same questions on the feedback questionnaire.  Results: There were 337 attendees at the course. Most (84%) attendees were from Tanzania, with 21% from Uganda and 15% from Kenya. Only 34% had attended in previous years, and only 30% were from MOI. 144 doctors and 45 nurses completed both pre and post course questionnaires. 99% felt participation in the course would improve their professional effectiveness. For all topics in the course, both doctors and nurses self-rated their knowledge and confidence higher after the course compared to before the course (see Figure 1).  Conclusions: The course reached nurses and doctors from across Tanzania and surrounding countries, and was successful in improving self-reported knowledge and confidence across neurosurgical topics. The course will be run again in March 2023 with improvements based on feedback from the completed questionnaires.