[Training missions in Cambodia: impact on the anesthesiologists and intensive care workers who carried out these missions]

Abstract

Objectives: 1) To analyse the incentives and the significance of the participation of anaesthesiologists in training missions for male nurse anaesthetists in Cambodia; 2) to assess the professional and private impact of these missions on them; 3) to evaluate the level of contribution of hospital administration.

Study design: Retrospective survey. PERSONS AND METHOD: Twelve anaesthesiologists, mainly males, mean age 44 +/- 6 years, with some expertise in missions in developing countries complete anonymously a written questionnaire including standardized answers and open questions.

Results: The mean reason for participating was the wish to transmit knowledge and expertise. For most of them the mission was an extension of their clinical activity. The reverse effects were a change of their mind on medical practice, on teaching and training, assistance projects for developing countries. For the latter, all considered that the health care institutions in association with Faculties of medicine should be involved in these missions.

Discussion: Initially, these missions expressed a need of self-sacrifice and appraisal of professional expertise. However the educational goal of the mission, the difference of cultural environment, determined a change in links with other persons. As a result, they wished to share expertise with other colleagues, in modifying the procedures for education and their participation in future assistance projects for development. However these intentions remained without professional impact as these educational actions were not included in a real institutional project.

Conclusion: Every international assistance project for development build by hospital doctors should be examined not only by staff members of the department, but also by the hospital administration.