The global burden of surgical disease has come into increasingly sharp focus over the last several years, with the inclusion of surgical priorities in the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs), the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery and the inclusion of additional surgical pathology in the publication of the Disease Control Priorities 3rd Edition. Applicants for general surgery residency value the opportunity to participate in global surgery experiences during the course of training, and residency training programs have responded, with 86% of respondents to a recent survey offering clinical rotations abroad (Jayaraman 2009). The educational value of these rotations centers on the advanced and varied surgical pathology seen in other settings (LMIC or HIC), differing approach to common problems, including surgical innovation (ie, mosquito net mesh hernia repairs) and the opportunity to gain a broader world view of healthcare disparities. We believe that the educational value of the global surgery clinical rotation will be further bolstered by a didactic curriculum leading up to the clinical rotation and a research requirement while participating in the clinical rotation.

Three Global Surgery Educational Offerings at Temple University Hospital: 

1. Global Surgery Core Curriculum – 6 weeks, PGY 1-5, Requirement for All Surgical Residents
2. Global Surgery Clinical Rotation – 6 weeks, PGY 3 Only, Available to All Surgical Residents
3. Global Surgery Concentration – 4 Years, PGY 2-5, Optional for Surgical Residents Declaring by End of PGY 1