Latest CHEETAH Publication in BioMed Central Looks at Strategies to Minimise a Major Methodological Challenge in Cluster Randomised Controlled Trials (cRCTs)
The latest paper from the GSU's recently completed CHEETAH trial discusses strategies to minimise and monitor biases and imbalances by arm in cRCTs
The recently conducted analysis includes 10,686 patients from 70 clusters with the study evaluating whether changing sterile gloves and instruments prior to abdominal wound closure reduces surgical site infection at 30 days postoperative. Eight strategies in total to minimise and monitor bias were pre-specified.
The paper identifies potential sources of bias when utilising cRCTs and looks at how the strategic system applied not only monitored and minimised the risks of bias and imbalances by arm but also highlights the lessons that can be learned for future cRCTs within hospitals.
You can access the publication by clicking here.
You can also visit the CHEETAH page by clicking here.
HIPPO Study - Webinar Today (27.03.23)
Webinar for the Recently Launched HIPPO Study to Discuss Relevance of Key Aims
The HIPPO team discuss the 3 main aims of the study that looks into pathway and planetary outcomes for inguinal hernia surgery:
- Characterise the global backlog for elective surgery
- Technique, training and operating surgeon variation
- Explore environmentally sustainable practices in operating theatres
Study coordinators Dr. Maria Picciochi and Dr. Viriginia Ledda will also review the registration process during the broadcast.
The webinar will feature an international panel of collaborators from Australia, Colombia and Nigeria taking part in a Q&A session following the conclusion of the main discussion during the online event.
The webinar will start at 8:00PM UK Time (BST)
You can access the webinar by clicking on this link that will take you to the webinar portal.
A Blog from our Team @ West African College of Surgeons Conference 2023
A Breakdown of the First Couple of Days of Dr. Virginia Ledda and Dr. Maria Picciochi from the University of Birmingham
This week two of our PhD fellows, Maria and Virginia, have travelled to Togo for the 63rd West African College of Surgeons Congress (WACS), to help the other members of the Unit present the projects that are being developed currently.
They landed in Lomé, Togo late on Sunday night, after being greeted by Vivien and Covalic, colleagues from the Benin Hub.
The opening ceremony to the Conference was held on Monday afternoon, with a procession of the members of WACS and addresses from the President of WACS, Professor Peter Donkor and Professor Tchengai, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee. Addresses were also given by representative of sister organisations, such as the West African College of Physicians. The addresses highlighted the importance of collaboration to promote the quality of care provided- which is one of the key principles of our Unit.
After the opening ceremony, Maria and Virginia had the chance to catch up with their Unit colleagues from the Hubs of Benin, Rwanda, Nigeria and Ghana. The NIHR Global Surgery Unit lead a symposium on Global Surgery on Thursday morning, so the meeting was an excellent opportunity to define the themes to be discussed and plan the session.
After the meeting the group had an opportunity to unwind and relax at dinner- everyone is so excited about the next few days!
Maria and Virginia are looking forward to the next few days in Lomé, Togo and will keep sharing their experiences.
You can view additional information from the Conference as it comes in via our official Twitter channel.
More information on the West African College of Surgeons can be found on their website.
Professors Dion Morton and Dhruva Ghosh attend launch of FOxTROT 2 trial in India
New international trial to run across GSU India network
During his recent visit to India, NIHR Global Health Research Unit on Global Surgery Co-Director Professor Dion Morton was able to Join India Lead, Professor Dhruva Ghosh at G B Pant Hospital in Delhi for the launch of the FOxTROT 2 international trial.
FOxTROT 2 will be conducted across 12 hospitals in India that include sites within the NIHR Global Health Research Unit on Global Surgery network. The trial will look into the use of a short course of pre-operative chemotherapy for patients due to undergo surgery for colon cancer, with the aim being to significantly decrease the likelihood of the cancer returning.
Whilst in India, Professor Morton was able to meet with the Indian Health Ministry regarding a new healthcare partnership that will look to deliver improved healthcare for children across the Punjab region with congenital defects.
You can read more on FOxTROT 2 by reading the official University of Birmingham press release here.
You can also see Professor Morton speak during his time in India in a short video on our Twitter channel.
GSU Study on Impact of Malnutrition on Early Outcomes of Surgery Discussed in Podcast
Professor Pamela Jeyaraj and Mr Stephen Knight discussed recent study on Lancet Global Health podcast, hosted by Nina Putnis
During the recent on-line webisode both Stephen and Pamela were able to talk about the link between malnutrition and outcomes after surgery for bowel cancer, involving over 5700 patients from 381 hospitals across 75 countries.
During the programme both Pamela and Stephen were able to explain how the study will help surgical care professionals determine what treatments and interventions could be provided for patients undergoing surgery for cancer in LMICs.
You can access the webinar, published on the 17th February here.
You can view the recently published article in The Lancet Global Health here.
CHEETAH Trial Discussed During OrthoEvidence Podcast
The latest discussion on CHEETAH comes from India Hub Lead - Dhruva Ghosh during recent podcast on OrthoEvidence
Professor Dhruva Ghosh spoke with Editor-in-Chief of OrthoEvidence, Mo Bhandari in relation to the recently completed CHEETAH trial that recruited over 13000 patients from 81 hospitals, across 7 countries.
During the discussion, Professor Dhruva Ghosh discussed the rationale behind the international trial including why the NIHR Global Health Research Unit on Global Surgery decided on utilising a cluster-randomised trial format for the trial design. During the on-line discussion, Professor Ghosh was also able to discuss the implication of the ground-breaking trial results and how they will translate affect surgical policy on a global scale, particularly in LMICs.
The podcast can be accessed via the OrthoEvidence wesbite.
You can also find out further information on the CHEETAH trial by clicking here.
SSI Showcase Webinar - Recording Now Available
Recording from the recent online webinar on the 16th January now available to view
Our official Youtube channel has just added the recording from the recent webinar that took place on the 16th Jan. The webinar provides all those working in surgical practice and research with an overview of the ground breaking global research study CheEETAh which provides clear evidence for a simple intervention that reduces surgical site infections.
You can view the webinar recording on the NIHR Global Health Research Unit on Global Surgery channel on Youtube where you can also view the recording with English subtitles. French and Spanish subtitles to be added in the coming days.
You can find out more on the recent webinar by visiting our original news story.
CHEETAH Presented at COSECSA AGM & Conference in Windhoek - Namibia
CHEETAH findings presented to over 100 surgeons at the recent College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa Conference 2022
Rwanda Deputy Hub Director, Dr. Allen J.C Ingabire who gave the presentation, was quoted as saying "The audience was excited about the findings of our study and ready to implement the recommendations in their respective Hospitals."
The 22nd COSECA Scientific Conference took place in December and was focused on the theme 'Timely Response to Current & Emerging Surgical Challenges on the Continent'.
You can read the recent publications for CHEETAH and SPI here.
You can hear more about the recently published CHEETAH results by joining our upcoming webinar on January 16th here.
CHEETAH and SPI Presentations Win Awards During International Conference in India
CHEETAH and Surgical Preparedness Index findings discussed by Dr. Parvez Haque of the GSU (India Hub) at ASICON 2022 in Mumbai resulted in 1st place (CHEETAH) and 3rd place (SPI) prizes
India Hub Deputy Director, Dr. Haque was quoted as saying "The Cheetah study methodology, study design, results were appreciated and questions about the Global surgery Unit in India and how to connect were the main queries".
During the conference, the president of ASI (Association of Surgeons of India) Dr. G Siddesh made announcements to attendees about research methodology and opportunities to participate in research through the Global surgery Initiative via workshops, modules etc in the year 2023 and future.
The 82nd Annual Conference of the Association of Surgeons of India took place between the 21st and 24th December and is noted as being the second largest association of surgeons in the world.
You can read the recent publications for CHEETAH and SPI here.
You can hear more about the recently published CHEETAH results by joining our upcoming webinar on January 16th here.
NEW Webinar: SSI Showcase 16-Jan-2023
NEW Webinar: Reducing surgical site infections - evidence from global surgical research
When is it?: Monday the 16th of Jan 2023 - 11:00 & 18:00 (GMT) - A 1hr webinar repeated twice during the day.
Who should attend?: Surgeons, surgical researchers, surgical nurses, scrub techs, ODPs and allied healthcare professionals
Hosted by: NIHR Global Health Research Unit Hashtag: #ssi2023
Patient outcomes on a global scale can be significantly improved by reducing surgical site infections (SSIs). A global collaboration of surgical researchers funded by the NIHR have undertaken high quality research implementing simple cost-effective interventions which reduce the number of surgical site infections. This research has been recently published in the Lancet on the 31st October 2022 which provides clear evidence for implementing simple changes in surgical practice to reduce SSIs.
This online webinar chaired by Prof. Dion Morton will provide all those working in surgical practice and research with an overview of the ground breaking global research study CheEETAh which provides clear evidence for a simple intervention that reduces surgical site infections.
The main session will include two key presentations on (1) surgical site infections and (2) the results of the CheEETAh study.
The format of the event includes a panel presentation of global experts discussing how the research was conducted, how the data was collected and analysed and what the results showed. There will be breakout sessions looking specifically at 4 key perspectives on the research (1) health economists (2) community, engagement and involvement (3) statistics and research design (4) qualitative research. The webinar will conclude with a round table discussion of global experts discussing how these results can be implemented across the globe.
View the full details of the webinar and the outline programme
Register now to attend this ground breaking event
Register for the 11:00AM (UK GMT) session using this form.
Or the 6:00PM (UK GMT) session using this form.
General event inquiries, contact e-mail: E.Bywater@bham.ac.uk