Brief Article
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World J Gastroenterol. Jul 7, 2013; 19(25): 3996-4000
Published online Jul 7, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i25.3996
Gastroenterology training in a resource-limited setting: Zambia, Southern Africa
Akwi W Asombang, Eleanor Turner-Moss, Anil Seetharam, Paul Kelly
Akwi W Asombang, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110-0250, United States
Eleanor Turner-Moss, Paul Kelly, Barts and the London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London E14NS, United Kingdom
Anil Seetharam, Banner Health Liver Center, Phoenix, AZ 85006, United States
Author contributions: Asombang AW and Kelly P contributed to the concept and design; Asombang AW, Turner-Moss E and Kelly P contributed to acquisition of data; Asombang AW, Turner-Moss E, Seetharam A and Kelly P contributed to the analysis, interpretation of data, drafting of manuscript and final approval.
Correspondence to: Akwi W Asombang, MD, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 3635 Vista Avenue at Grand Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63110-0250, United States. asombang@slu.edu
Telephone: +1-314-8796448 Fax: +1-314-8796222
Received: January 22, 2013
Revised: May 14, 2013
Accepted: May 22, 2013
Published online: July 7, 2013
Core Tip

Core tip: The global burden of digestive diseases is increasing, yet formal training in gastroenterology is lacking in traditionally underserved areas such as the African continent. In this study we designed, implemented, and evaluated the effectiveness of a structured 4 d symposium focusing on general topics in the diagnosis and management of digestive disease. This symposium was geared towards health care professionals and attendees reported improvement in their knowledgebase in gastrointestinal disorders. Structured symposiums are an effective and viable adjunct to medical education and their utility may be highest in regions where traditional academic medical resources are limited.