Barriers to neurosurgical care of brain tumors in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review of the service delivery challenges
Document Type
Article
Department
Medical College Pakistan; Neurosurgery
Abstract
Introduction: Brain tumors pose a major challenge in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) due to limited resources and high costs, resulting in hampered service delivery of neurosurgical care and significant disparities in patient outcomes compared to high-income nations. Therefore, our systematic review aims to identify barriers to service delivery in providing adequate surgical care for the management of brain tumors in LMICs.
Methods: We searched Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and CINAHL, from inception to October 20, 2022. The data from the eligible studies were extracted and analyzed qualitatively
Results: The final analysis included 35 articles, which highlighted significant challenges in providing adequate surgical care for brain tumors in LMICs. Among the cited studies, 10% reported lack of multidisciplinary team structures, 61% noted delayed patient presentation, 16% highlighted delays in neuroimaging, 10% reported delays in scheduling surgery, lack of training for specialized surgery (3%), lack of intra-operative facilities (19%), power supply interruption (6%), and lack of advanced diagnostic and specialized surgery facilities (19%). Strategies for addressing these challenges include cross-border collaboration (7%), public education, and awareness (13%), establishing multidisciplinary teams (20%), utilizing alternative surgical techniques (13%), 7% intraoperative ultrasound, 13% intraoperative cytology smear), and establishing satellite hospitals for low-risk care (7%), standard operating procedure and infection control (13%).
Conclusion: Targeted interventions considering economic constraints are essential to improve the availability, affordability, and quality of neuro-oncologic services in developing countries. International collaborations and building capacity are vital for improving patient outcomes and service delivery, as well as forming multidisciplinary teams and utilizing resource-saving, innovative methods.
Publication (Name of Journal)
World Neurosurgery
DOI
10.1016/j.wneu.2024.05.044
Recommended Citation
Shakir, M.,
Shariq, S. F.,
Irshad, H. A.,
Khowaja, A. H.,
Tahir, I.,
Rae, A. I.,
Hamzah, R.,
Gupta, S.,
Park, K. B.,
Enam, A.
(2024). Barriers to neurosurgical care of brain tumors in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review of the service delivery challenges. World Neurosurgery.
Available at:
https://ecommons.aku.edu/pakistan_fhs_mc_surg_neurosurg/384
Comments
Volume, issue and pagination are not provided by author/publisher