Enhancing Patient Safety through Education in a Low-to-Middle-Income Country: Training in the Correct Application of Cricoid Pressure.

Background: Cricoid pressure (CP) is applied to occlude the esophagus during endotracheal intubation in patients at an increased risk of aspiration of gastric contents. Evidence shows marked deficiencies in knowledge and skills for CP application among personnel responsible for this task. This study evaluated the effectiveness of CP training in improving knowledge and skills regarding CP application among anesthesiology technicians and critical care nurses and assessed the retention of skills after 2 months.

The Art of Healing through Narrative Medicine in Clinical Practice: A Reflection.

The art of medicine has roots that lie deep in developing the biopsychosocial connection. Understanding a human body (both its physiology and pathology) along with components of emotional and spiritual cores can lead to provision of excellent medical care and better outcomes. The harmonization of psychosocial consequences of a biological disease is helpful not just for health care professionals but also for patients.

Research Capacity Strengthening in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Ethical Explorations.

With developed country governments and high resource institutions engaging in research in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), we argue that these entities have a moral obligation to help build and strengthen research infrastructure and capacity so local scientists and institutions can adequately conduct studies to understand and resolve the health burdens in low and middle income countries. We explore the moral justifications and motivations behind engaging in research capacity strengthening in the health sector in LMIC at multiple levels. In highlighting these issues, this paper aims to initiate a global discourse around why capacity development in LMIC has a moral basis at the individual, institutional and system levels.

Integrated Strategies to Address Maternal and Child Health and Survival in Low-Income Settings: Implications for Haiti.

The Millennium Development Goals for improving maternal and child health globally were agreed on in 2000, and several monitoring and evaluation strategies were put in place, including "Countdown to 2015" for monitoring progress and intervention coverage to reach the goals. However, progress in achieving the goals has been slow, with only 13 of the 75 participating Countdown countries on track to reach the targets for reducing child mortality.An overview of child mortality rates in low-income countries is presented, followed by a discussion of evidenced-based interventions that can bridge the equity gaps in global health.

Addressing the Child and Maternal Mortality Crisis in Haiti through a Central Referral Hospital Providing Countrywide Care.

The neonatal, infant, child, and maternal mortality rates in Haiti are the highest in the Western Hemisphere, with rates similar to those found in Afghanistan and several African countries. We identify several factors that have perpetuated this health care crisis and summarize the literature highlighting the most cost-effective, evidence-based interventions proved to decrease these mortality rates in low- and middle-income countries.To create a major change in Haiti's health care infrastructure, we are implementing two strategies that are unique for low-income countries: development of a countrywide network of geographic "community care grids" to facilitate implementation of frontline interventions, and the construction of a centrally located referral and teaching hospital to provide specialty care for communities throughout the country.

Validation of self-reported history of colorectal cancer screening.

Objective: This study aims to determine the validity of self-reported history of colorectal cancer (CRC) testing consisting of fecal occult blood tests (FOBTs)in the past 2 years or endoscopy (flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy) in the past 5 years by comparing it with reports provided by physicians.

Design: A cross-sectional design was used for this study.

Setting: Study participants were selected directly from the city's population.

Directions for national data policy for antiretroviral therapy in resource-poor settings: a focus on durable viral suppression.

The rapid scale-up (that is, full implementation) of programs to provide antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV in resource-poor settings has become a major objective for many less-developed nations and the agencies that provide funding to them. The success and sustainability of ART programs will depend upon durable viral suppression, the long-term maintenance of the infected on first-line treatment regimes. This article considers the data policy that will be required to achieve durable viral suppression.

Why medical students are crucial to the future of research in South Asia.

One long-term strategy for promoting health research in developing countries is to target medical students early in their careers.