How to Prepare for Short- or Long-Term Surgical Practice in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Interest and participation in global health interactions has increased among surgical and anesthesia residents, medical students, and other fully-trained practitioners from high-income areas. These interactions are primarily in “underserved” countries, frequently referred to as low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). These vary significantly by their economic profiles, health and training systems, and even by their location. Numerous general surgery residency programs have established formal or informal collaborative efforts with partner institutions in LMICs. The rapid rise in the number of global health opportunities worldwide offered through numerous medical schools and residency training programs provide a chance to medical students, residents, and both junior and senior faculty to work, to learn, and to teach in LMICs. Adequate preparation for their experiences and responsibilities in an unfamiliar clinical and cultural environment prior to such foreign visits is critical to achieve the greatest safety, effectiveness, and benefit for both the host institution and the visiting staff. This chapter addresses these important issues.