AMPATH Surgery Team Presents Surgical App Model

The AMPATH surgery team participated in a prototype showcase for the Global Surgical Training Challenge to demonstrate their progress in development of the AMPATH Surgical App (ASAP) to train clinicians who are expected to perform open appendectomies. Earlier this year, the team was selected as one of 10 teams to receive a $200,000 award to develop the app.

The appendectomy model is created using items that are commonly available.

Each of the teams in the challenge created a video to showcase their training model. Dr. Ivan Seno, consultant general surgeon at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) and Dr. JoAnna Hunter-Squires, visiting lecturer at Moi University (MU) and general surgeon at Indiana University (IU) led the AMPATH presentation on behalf of the educators, surgeons, engineers and residents from both MU and IU who are part of the team.

Trainees record themselves performing the procedure on the model they constructed.

“Our target learners are doctors who are expected to perform the World Health Organization Essential Surgical Procedures, but may not have formal surgical training,” said Dr. Seno. Kenyan medical officers identified open appendectomy as the focus of the training module in order to provide safer outcomes for patients.

“Our open appendectomy module is focused on guiding the learner through the cognitive, psychomotor and judgement skills necessary to diagnose appendicitis, complete the procedure safely and care for the patient postoperatively,” added Dr. Hunter-Squires.

Trainees construct their own model using commonly-available items and various surgical techniques. They then use a cell phone to record themselves performing the procedure and upload the video to be assessed by artificial intelligence.

The Global Surgical Training Challenge is a three-level competition. Three to five successful prototypes will be announced in early 2022 to receive a Finalist Awards of $500,000 USD. The grand prize is $1 million USD for the most successful prototype with the most potential impact through further module development.

Best of luck to the AMPATH team!