June 2021
Volume 62, Issue 8
Open Access
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   June 2021
Characterizing transnational ophthalmic surgical partnerships by engagement and training
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • Daniel J Olivieri
    Division of Ophthalmology, Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
    Section of Ophthalmology, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
  • Zane Z Yu
    Division of Ophthalmology, Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
    Section of Ophthalmology, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
  • Geoffrey C Tabin
    Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States
  • Raba Thapa
    Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Paul B Greenberg
    Division of Ophthalmology, Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
    Section of Ophthalmology, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships   Daniel Olivieri, None; Zane Yu, None; Geoffrey Tabin, None; Raba Thapa, None; Paul Greenberg, None
  • Footnotes
    Support  None
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science June 2021, Vol.62, 2643. doi:
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    • Get Citation

      Daniel J Olivieri, Zane Z Yu, Geoffrey C Tabin, Raba Thapa, Paul B Greenberg; Characterizing transnational ophthalmic surgical partnerships by engagement and training. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2021;62(8):2643.

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      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

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Abstract

Purpose : Partnerships represent an important yet under-researched modality in global eye care. We investigated ophthalmic partnerships between high-income country (HIC) and low- and middle-income country (LMIC) stakeholders and characterized them by ‘Training’ and ‘Engagement’ to better understand and address disparities in global ophthalmic surgical care.

Methods : A web search was conducted to identify stakeholders participating in the delivery and/or capacity building of ophthalmic services from 2010 - 2019 based on publicly available data. Partnerships were defined through clinical activities, education and training, and/or research support. Descriptive data on current ophthalmic partnerships was collected from published reports, literature reviews, and information on stakeholder webpages. Individual partnerships were separately classified by the extent of engagement and training patterned off criteria from a similar study in global neurosurgery; grade I represented the least and grade III the most extensive engagement and training. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and geospatial mapping.

Results : In total, 209 unique HIC - LMIC partnerships encompassing 92 unique countries were described. The most common HIC partners were from North America (123; 59%) and Europe (75; 36%); the most common LMIC partners were from Africa (103; 49%) and the Asia-Pacific (54; 26%). Partnerships most frequently provided services in cataract (48%), glaucoma (25%), and diabetic retinopathy (25%). The most common engagement classifications were grade I (35%) or II (39%) and training classifications were grade I (60%) or II (23%). A majority of partnerships utilized a coordinating agency (147; 70%). Finally, LMIC-based researchers first- or co-authored 61% of all peer-reviewed publications documented in the data set.

Conclusions : Transnational ophthalmic partnerships exist with varying degrees of both engagement and training. Research collaboration and direct services are two current areas of partnership strength in global ophthalmology, while LMIC-directed training programs need improvement relative to other surgical fields.

This is a 2021 ARVO Annual Meeting abstract.

 

Figure 1: Transnational partnerships are classified from ‘E1’ to ‘E3’ with ‘E3’ representing the most extensive partnership engagement.

Figure 1: Transnational partnerships are classified from ‘E1’ to ‘E3’ with ‘E3’ representing the most extensive partnership engagement.

 

Figure 2: Transnational partnerships are classified from ‘T1’ to ‘T3’ with ‘T3’ representing the most extensive partnership training.

Figure 2: Transnational partnerships are classified from ‘T1’ to ‘T3’ with ‘T3’ representing the most extensive partnership training.

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