Transfer of knowledge in gynecological oncology: the cooperation between AGO and 2 Ethiopian University Hospitals

Objectives:

Based on the fact that in Ethiopia only rudimentary oncological services were given, a group of German gynecologists initiated a project to establish the gyne oncological service, in two Ethiopian universities, Addis Abeba and Gondar. Precondition was the implementation of the Subspeciality Gynecological Oncology.

Material/Methods:

The first step was to develope a curriculum, match it to the Ethiopian setup and approve it to the respective universities. The cooperation with AGO was insured from the beginning. Training and later on certification are based on two steps. First one is the evaluation of the institution: availability of screening and early diagnosis of cervical cancer (VIA, cryotherapy), usage of transvaginal ultrasound, presence of pathologist, medical oncological setup (chemotherapy, outpatient follow up), interdisciplinary tumor board, pain management, development of oncological guideline manuals, setup of the operation theater, efficiency of the anesthetic department. Second step is instruction and documentation in logbooks: teaching the skill and theory by German specialists in workshops 3 – 4 times per year, clinical attachment in Germany and participation in the annual gyne oncologic conferences.

Conclusion:

In february 2018 certification of the first 4 candidates as gynecological oncologists after examination in patient evaluation and theoretical knowledge, skill control in operation, and finally evaluation of the logbook by 2 representatives of the AGO and one representative of the American Oncologic Society. In both universities 6 new candidates are enrolled as fellows for the gyne oncological subspeciality.