RURAL UROLOGY PRACTICE - TRAINING

In rural areas of 5% of the patients presenting as outpatients have Urology problems and more than half of them could be managed by local doctors with dedicated training and an available Low-Cost Cystoscope. Real time online training and supervision program helps them learn the Minimally Invasive Surgical techniques using the innovative Laptop Cystoscope to do the minor procedures under supervision. OSATS [Objective Assessment of Technical Skills] scores could be both self-assessed and assessed by the trainer.

Manuel dexterity, hand – eye coordination skills could be taught and supervised online real-time. The key advantage of the training program is that supervision from a remote location is possible and self-assessment by the trainee by watching the recordings would help them improve and monitor their progress

The entire training is online and real time. It starts with didactic lectures using zoom meeting platform. This is followed by online and offline tests to find out how much they have learnt. With sufficient knowledge they get the ultra – low – cost Laptop Cystoscope mailed to them.

The zoom meeting platform is used for case discussions, supervision of Urodynamic studies and later doing Diagnostic procedures and minor procedures under zoom meeting supervision. The trainer and later the trainee would use the OSATS [Objective Assessment of Technical Skills] scores for assessment and monitoring of progress.

The innovative technology replaces the telescope of the traditional Cystoscope by endoscopic camera that connects to the Laptop and the screen could be shared through zoom meeting. The Mobile phone camera could be used for showing the external pictures for necessary guidance. 

The skills that are taught include

• 1)Urodynamic studies or Bladder pressure studies
• 2)Diagnostic Cystoscopies
• 3)Minor procedures like DJ stenting, DJ stent removal, fulguration and biopsies

Manuel dexterity, Hand – Eye Coordination and ability to covert two-dimensional pictures to 3-dimensional understanding and performing three dimensional actions are the skills that are taught and learnt. 

The project improves the skills of the surgical practitioners especially surgeons working in rural and remote areas. It will improve their early diagnostic skills and treatment capabilities. The Pilot phase started with training of the rural surgeons in Northeast India and there are rural surgical practitioners who belong to the Association of Rural Surgeons of India and the International Federation of Rural Surgeons. The continuing online interactions help to understand the needs in their local areas and work out solutions for them

The team consists of

• 1)Project Lead: Dr. Gnanaraj J is a Urologist and Laparoscopic surgeons with over 3 decades of experience in working and teaching at rural and remote hospitals in India
• 2)Educator: Dr. George Mathew is a surgeon and former Principal of Christian Medical College, Vellore and has experience of starting Medical College in Indonesia
• 3)Technical Expert: Mr. Keso is the technical person who coordinates the program and helps with the innovative products

We are looking for a Marketing person who can disseminate the technology and take the project forward.