Scaling surgical education: Assessing the impact and replicability of emergency urology skills training in Ethiopia

Abstract

Background

To deliver and evaluate two Emergency Urology Skills Training (EUST) courses in Ethiopia, aimed at equipping surgical and urology residents with hands-on skills and confidence in managing urological emergencies in resource-limited settings.

Methods

Two one-day, practical training courses were held in Hawassa and Addis Ababa in November 2024 and May 2025. Pre-course questionnaires assessed delegates’ baseline confidence, prior training and the utility of a pre-course manual. A blended curriculum comprising didactic lectures, skill stations and one-to-one mentorship was delivered by a collaborative team of local and international faculty. Post-course evaluations measured improvements in knowledge, confidence and satisfaction.

Results

Twenty-three participants from each centre completed matched pre- and post-course multiple-choice questionnaires assessing knowledge of emergency urology procedures. Pre-course exposure to structured skills training was limited (≤30%). Both groups showed statistically significant improvements in post-course scores (Hawassa: p = 0.002; Addis Ababa: p = 0.007). Self-rated confidence and knowledge improved significantly (p < 0.05) in six of eight core procedures.

Conclusions

The EUST model effectively improved trainees’ confidence and procedural competence in emergency urology. With adequate support, this model is scalable and applicable to other resource-limited countries seeking to strengthen urological emergency care and their training capacity.

Keywords

Renal ureteric trauma urology simulation

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