The value of interactions with parents.

Dr. Samuel Negash, trainee Surgeon and Data Collector, Menelik Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

"As a paediatric surgery trainee in a low-income country, I share the frustrations of practicing in an inadequate facility.

I was very eager to help KidsOR in any way that I could, so when I was given the opportunity to become a data collector I responded quickly. I have had a wonderful experience so far.

The hospital staff are supportive and patient families are very willing to participate. The team at KidsOR have been very helpful by quickly responding to any difficulties faced along the way.

In my work, I interview the surgeon, anaesthesia providers and patient families. Most questions are about what’s happened in the operating room and the difficulties patients and their families face in the outside world because of their social background.

This data shows the impact that surgery can have. I hope that KidsOR will be able to extend this work to other low-income countries. My favourite part of the data collection role is the interaction I have with patient families. It has given me a better understanding of my patients that will prove invaluable when I complete my own training as a surgeon.

I have seen first hand how listening and asking the right questions goes a long way.

I have also had the pleasure to witness the impact of a KidsOR installation at our hospital. I started data collection seven months before the installation, the number of procedures carried out has now tripled."

"I started data collection seven months before the installation, the number of procedures carried out has now tripled."

Dr. Samuel Negash