United States-based global otolaryngology surgery: A call to more horizontal sustainable efforts

Objective: To examine global surgery involvement among general members of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) and characterize international otolaryngology surgical interventions.

Methods: Data on global surgery involvement were derived from responses provided by voluntary online survey respondent members of the AAO-HNS, obtained in October 2017. These data were compared against World Bank metrics of national health expenditure and surgical specialists per capita as benchmarks for need.

Results: There were 362 responses (response rate of 3.7%). A large proportion of respondents reported being involved in global surgery (61.3%). Locations where respondents worked included: South America (13.3%), Central America (17.7%), Caribbean (10.2%), Europe (4.1%), Africa (16.3%), Asia (16.6%), the Middle East (4.1%), and Oceania (3.6%). A greater proportion of respondents reported traveling to locations that have lower health care expenditure per capita and lower mean number of surgical specialists per 100,000 people, according to data from the World Bank. The primary purpose of trips was most commonly surgical mission (60.3%), followed by education (37.8%), and research (1.9%).

Conclusion: Members of the AAO-HNS are active in global surgery efforts around the world. Collaboration among members of the AAO-HNS may serve to improve long-term sustainability of these efforts.