Supplemental Materials: The Development of a Global Health Dermatologic Surgery Training Program in Durban, South Africa: A Cohort Study
Description
This supplementary appendix details the curriculum structure and evaluation framework of the Global Health Dermatologic Surgery (GHDS) Program, a longitudinal capacity-building initiative conducted between 2014 and 2018 at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in Durban, South Africa. The program paired U.S. board-certified dermatologic surgeons with South African dermatology registrars and consultants from the Nelson Mandela School of Medicine for biannual two-week training trips. Using an ACGME-based competency framework, the curriculum emphasized core surgical principles including sterile technique, lesion assessment, excision, flap design, and postoperative care. Education was delivered through didactic sessions, pig’s foot simulation models, and progressively independent participation in supervised live cases. Trainee performance was assessed through pre- and post-didactic testing, direct observation, and case log review. Outcomes and complications were prospectively tracked in REDCap, with local faculty overseeing postoperative follow-up to ensure continuity of care. This structured, outcomes-driven model provided a sustainable framework for advancing dermatologic surgery training and local surgical capacity within a public academic setting.