The Locally Driven Temporal Bone Dissection Laboratory: A Sustainable Tool for Otologic Development in Sub‐Saharan Africa

Abstract Objective To evaluate the feasibility of a temporal bone dissection laboratory in Tanzania to support otologic surgical training for otolaryngologists in the region. Study Design This prospective cohort study evaluates six temporal bone laboratory training sessions over the course of 11 mon...

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Main Authors: Nina R. Patel, Fayaz Jaffer, Aveline Kahinga, Shaban Mawala, Mary Jue Xu, Aslam Nkya, Jeffrey Sharon, Eric K. Kim, Sayyeda Datoo‐Jaffer, Stephanie Unterrieder, Ali F. Jaffer
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-04-01
Series:OTO Open
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/oto2.70134
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author Nina R. Patel
Fayaz Jaffer
Aveline Kahinga
Shaban Mawala
Mary Jue Xu
Aslam Nkya
Jeffrey Sharon
Eric K. Kim
Sayyeda Datoo‐Jaffer
Stephanie Unterrieder
Ali F. Jaffer
author_facet Nina R. Patel
Fayaz Jaffer
Aveline Kahinga
Shaban Mawala
Mary Jue Xu
Aslam Nkya
Jeffrey Sharon
Eric K. Kim
Sayyeda Datoo‐Jaffer
Stephanie Unterrieder
Ali F. Jaffer
author_sort Nina R. Patel
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objective To evaluate the feasibility of a temporal bone dissection laboratory in Tanzania to support otologic surgical training for otolaryngologists in the region. Study Design This prospective cohort study evaluates six temporal bone laboratory training sessions over the course of 11 months. Pretraining and posttraining surveys were distributed during the first year of implementation in 2023. Postsurveys were distributed both immediately and 6 months posttraining. Setting Single tertiary care academic medical center in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Methods Participant data for 47 attendees including country/region of practice, otologic procedures completed, and number of trainees/audiologists in their clinical practice were collected in the pretraining survey. A 5‐point Likert scale was used to assess pretraining and posttraining comfort with completing common otologic procedures. Study outcomes included comfort level, barriers to implementing acquired knowledge, and overall training quality. Results The results highlight that participants did not have pretraining comfort with, exposure to, and training with many otologic surgeries. These limitations were largely attributed to barriers identified by participants including limited access to training, learning opportunities, and equipment for otologic procedures. Findings also indicate statistically significant increases in comfort level for the majority of common otologic procedures evaluated. Conclusion This study highlights that the training has been both feasible for and desired by participants, and has addressed critical needs in continued surgical training. Temporal bone dissection labs are a feasible and highly desired model to increase the otologic capacity of practicing otolaryngologists regionally and offer a promising approach for addressing the lack of training opportunities in the region.
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spelling doaj-art-4a6f9d17b3b64086907faa6589ce976e2025-08-20T03:24:07ZengWileyOTO Open2473-974X2025-04-0192n/an/a10.1002/oto2.70134The Locally Driven Temporal Bone Dissection Laboratory: A Sustainable Tool for Otologic Development in Sub‐Saharan AfricaNina R. Patel0Fayaz Jaffer1Aveline Kahinga2Shaban Mawala3Mary Jue Xu4Aslam Nkya5Jeffrey Sharon6Eric K. Kim7Sayyeda Datoo‐Jaffer8Stephanie Unterrieder9Ali F. Jaffer10Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Department University of California San Francisco San Francisco California USAHearWell Audiology Clinic Dar es Salaam TanzaniaGlobal OHNS Initiative Dar es Salaam TanzaniaDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology Muhimbili National Hospital Dar es Salaam TanzaniaOtolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Department University of California San Francisco San Francisco California USADepartment of Otorhinolaryngology Muhimbili National Hospital Dar es Salaam TanzaniaOtolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Department University of California San Francisco San Francisco California USAOtolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Department University of California San Francisco San Francisco California USAHearWell Audiology Clinic Dar es Salaam TanzaniaMED‐EL Medical Electronics Innsbruck AustriaGlobal OHNS Initiative Dar es Salaam TanzaniaAbstract Objective To evaluate the feasibility of a temporal bone dissection laboratory in Tanzania to support otologic surgical training for otolaryngologists in the region. Study Design This prospective cohort study evaluates six temporal bone laboratory training sessions over the course of 11 months. Pretraining and posttraining surveys were distributed during the first year of implementation in 2023. Postsurveys were distributed both immediately and 6 months posttraining. Setting Single tertiary care academic medical center in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Methods Participant data for 47 attendees including country/region of practice, otologic procedures completed, and number of trainees/audiologists in their clinical practice were collected in the pretraining survey. A 5‐point Likert scale was used to assess pretraining and posttraining comfort with completing common otologic procedures. Study outcomes included comfort level, barriers to implementing acquired knowledge, and overall training quality. Results The results highlight that participants did not have pretraining comfort with, exposure to, and training with many otologic surgeries. These limitations were largely attributed to barriers identified by participants including limited access to training, learning opportunities, and equipment for otologic procedures. Findings also indicate statistically significant increases in comfort level for the majority of common otologic procedures evaluated. Conclusion This study highlights that the training has been both feasible for and desired by participants, and has addressed critical needs in continued surgical training. Temporal bone dissection labs are a feasible and highly desired model to increase the otologic capacity of practicing otolaryngologists regionally and offer a promising approach for addressing the lack of training opportunities in the region.https://doi.org/10.1002/oto2.70134otologysub‐Saharan Africasurgical educationtemporal bone
spellingShingle Nina R. Patel
Fayaz Jaffer
Aveline Kahinga
Shaban Mawala
Mary Jue Xu
Aslam Nkya
Jeffrey Sharon
Eric K. Kim
Sayyeda Datoo‐Jaffer
Stephanie Unterrieder
Ali F. Jaffer
The Locally Driven Temporal Bone Dissection Laboratory: A Sustainable Tool for Otologic Development in Sub‐Saharan Africa
OTO Open
otology
sub‐Saharan Africa
surgical education
temporal bone
title The Locally Driven Temporal Bone Dissection Laboratory: A Sustainable Tool for Otologic Development in Sub‐Saharan Africa
title_full The Locally Driven Temporal Bone Dissection Laboratory: A Sustainable Tool for Otologic Development in Sub‐Saharan Africa
title_fullStr The Locally Driven Temporal Bone Dissection Laboratory: A Sustainable Tool for Otologic Development in Sub‐Saharan Africa
title_full_unstemmed The Locally Driven Temporal Bone Dissection Laboratory: A Sustainable Tool for Otologic Development in Sub‐Saharan Africa
title_short The Locally Driven Temporal Bone Dissection Laboratory: A Sustainable Tool for Otologic Development in Sub‐Saharan Africa
title_sort locally driven temporal bone dissection laboratory a sustainable tool for otologic development in sub saharan africa
topic otology
sub‐Saharan Africa
surgical education
temporal bone
url https://doi.org/10.1002/oto2.70134
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