Pixels to precision: Remote thoracic and pediatric cardiac surgery mentorship with Rods&Cones® Technology in Kigali, Rwanda

Abstract

Surgery is the final frontier in global medicine; yet, access to essential surgical services in low- and middle-income countries remains a significant barrier to equitable care. With a rise in non-communicable diseases and a shortage of skilled surgeons, the need for mentorship becomes crucial to capacity building. The COVID-19 pandemic acted as a catalyst for remote mentorship, leading to the development of innovative solutions such as Rods&Cones®. Herein, we describe one example of remote mentorship conducted across a distance of more than 7,700 miles between King Faisal Hospital in Rwanda and the University of Wisconsin Hospital in the US. This paper aims to demonstrate how advances in remote mentorship technology can overcome existing barriers and aid in expanding the global surgical workforce in thoracic surgery.