The focus of Surviving and Succeeding at Surgery in Africa (SSS) is to provide information and basic surgery skills to medical professionals/surgeons who are planning to volunteer in Africa.

Working internationally can be both stimulating and rewarding, however for Canadian surgeons interested in working on either short or long term assignments, it is important to understand the social and medical terrain they will be venturing into.

The Workshop

The one-day workshop will identify the key practical, logistical, health, safety and cultural challenges to working and rendering health services in developing nations. This information is vital if they are to work successfully in the region.

The first question being asked of the participants is “Should I go, or not?” Other issues covered are traveling and working abroad with a young family, travel arrangements, common travel diseases, as well as a discussion on social issues, determining whether one does more harm than good. The participants will get to explore strategies and tools, which will contribute to success in their overseas work. The last part of the workshop incorporates hands-on stations where the participants get to work in small groups using surgical model simulations.

The SSS course is a CNIS Public Engagement initiative, targeted at surgeons. It open to the general public, with fees charged to help offset costs. Fees are reduced for medical students, fellows, retirees and CNIS Members.