Gaps In Access Research Articles

Application of the Human Opportunity Index in Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Administration Process and Its Implication on Service Quality in Healthcare Units

This research aims to determine the inequality of opportunities in the health sector. Researchers identified three primary sources of information in a database search to construct the organizational health index: the permanent continuous household survey, the quarterly provincial household survey, and the administrative records of the Department of Health Statistics system. The study employed a data matching mechanism to merge the two databases but discovered discrepancies in the live birth and death data, leading to a lack of confidence in the data's quality. The results show that the evolution of health opportunities in the last decade is generally positive, although there are still gaps in access to health insurance and health checks during pregnancy. The study found that the gap was primarily due to socioeconomic differences between individuals. An analysis of changes in the organizational health index in the health sector shows that sectoral policies play a significant role in improving access to health services. This increase in access was primarily achieved by the region's health policies, which ensured proportional increases for all individuals. However, there needs to be a greater focus on equal opportunities for access to health services to ensure that all individuals have equal access to quality health services.

Characteristics and Practice Patterns of Non-certified Surgeons Treating Medicare Patients.

The objective of this study is to explore the patient characteristics and practice patterns of non-certified surgeons who treat Medicare patients in the United States. While most surgeons in the United States are board-certified, non-certified surgeons are permitted to practice in many locations. At the same time, surgical workforce shortages threaten access to surgical care for many patients. It is possible that non-certified surgeons may be able to help fill these access gaps. However, little is known about the practice patterns of non-certified surgeons. A 100% sample of Medicare claims data from 2014-2019 were used to identify practicing general surgeons. Surgeons were categorized as certified or non-certified in general surgery​​ based on data from the American Board of Surgery. Surgeon practice patterns and patient characteristics were analyzed. A total of 2,097,206 patient cases were included in the study. These patients were treated by 16,076 surgeons, of which 6% were identified as non-certified surgeons. Compared to certified surgeons, non-certified surgeons were less frequently fellowship-trained (20.5% vs. 24.2%, P=0.008) and more likely to be a foreign medical graduate (14.5% vs. 9.2%, P<0.001). Non-certified surgeons were more frequently practicing in for-profit hospitals (21.2% vs. 14.2%, P<0.001) and critical access hospitals (2.2% vs. 1.3%, P<0.001), and were less likely to practice in a teaching hospital (63.2% vs. 72.4%, P<0.001). Compared to certified surgeons, non-certified surgeons treated more non-White patients (19.6% vs. 14%, P<0.001) as well as a higher percentage of patients in the two lowest socioeconomic status (SES) quintiles (36.2% vs. 29.2%, P<0.001). Operations related to emergency admissions were more common amongst non-certified surgeons (68.8% vs. 55.7%, P<0.001). There were no differences in gender or age of the patients treated by certified and non-certified surgeons. For Medicare patients, non-certified surgeons treated more patients who are non-White, of lower SES, and in more rural, critical-access hospitals.

Mixed-methods community assessment of drowning and water safety knowledge and behaviours on Lake Victoria

BackgroundDrowning is a major cause of death in Uganda, especially among young adults with water-based occupations and livelihoods. Information about drowning and other water-related deaths and injuries is limited. To...

Rural and Underserved Areas: How Can We Combat the Gap in Access to Neurological and Neurosurgical Care? (P1-4.010)

Rural and Underserved Areas: How Can We Combat the Gap in Access to Neurological and Neurosurgical Care? (P1-4.010)

STRATEGY FOR DEVELOPING SOFT SKILLS IN GENERATION Z USING EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

This study aims to explore the contribution of educational technology to developing soft skills among Generation Z students in public schools. We employed a qualitative research method, utilizing a case study approach. We collected data through observations and interviews with various stakeholders in public schools. The findings of the study indicate that educational technology positively contributes to enhancing students' soft skills. The use of educational technology facilitates interactive, creative, and adaptive learning, as well as collaboration and interaction among students from diverse backgrounds. However, to maximize the benefits of educational technology, we must address challenges like accessibility gaps and curriculum integration. The study concludes that educational technology holds great potential as a tool to prepare Generation Z for the demands and challenges of an increasingly complex and interconnected workforce.

Addressing rural energy poverty and rural-urban energy access gap in developing countries: does international remittances matter?

ABSTRACT Alleviating rural energy poverty and inequality in rural-urban energy accessibility is a panacea for rural economic development. Researchers and policymakers have underscored the importance of remittances in socio-economic development; however, the role of remittances on rural energy poverty and disparity in rural-urban energy access remains under-researched area. This study, therefore, investigates whether remittances contribute to enhance rural energy poverty and rural-urban inequality in energy access in 135 developing countries from 2000–2020. Evidence from cross-sectional and endogeneity-corrected results supports that international remittance inflow substantially reduces rural poverty and rural-urban inequality in energy access. The results also indicate that the effect of remittance on rural energy poverty and rural-urban inequality in energy access depends on the state of countries’ financial development and GDP per capita, indicating that remittances alleviate rural energy poverty and inequality in rural-urban energy accessibility in countries with higher access to credit and per capita GDP. We documented that these findings differ across income groups. The policy implications are discussed.

Global urbanization and ruralization lessons of clean energy access gap

While energy access is improving across economic groups globally, here remains the monumental challenge of clean energy inequality that has further aggravates climate-related problems. To further address clean energy inequality, this study offers novel understanding on the forces behind clean energy access divide associated with urbanization and ruralization by employing the case of the high, low, lower-middle, and upper-middle income economies in the period 2010 to 2021. By using empirical analysis, the results reveal that (i) annual growth in the economy, and (ii) literacy parity between male and female further worsen clean energy access between urban and rural population. Contrarily, innovative activities reduce urban-rural clean energy access by an elasticity of 3.510. These findings, in theory and practice, provide policy insight toward specifically achieving the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals 7 and 10, and other global challenges.

Children with disabilities lack access to nutrition, healthand WASH services: A secondary data analysis.

Malnutrition and disability are major global public health problems. Poor diets, inadequate access to nutrition/health services (NaHS), and poor water, sanitationand hygiene (WASH) all increase the risk of malnutrition and infection. This leads to poor health outcomes, including disability. To better understand the relationship between these factors, we explored access to NaHS and household WASH and dietary adequacy amonghouseholds with and without children with disabilities in Uganda. We used cross-sectional secondary data from 2021. Adjusted logistic regression was used to explore associations between disabilities, access to NaHS, WASHand dietary adequacy. Of the 6924 households, 4019 (57.9%) reported having access to necessary NaHS, with deworming and vaccination reported as both the most important and most difficult to access services. Access to services was lower for households with children with disabilities compared to those without, after adjusting for likely confounding factors (Odds ratio = 0.70; 95% CI 0.55-0.89, p = 0.003). There is evidence of an interaction between disability and WASH adequacy, with improved WASH adequacy associated with improved access to services, including for children with disabilities (interaction odds ratio = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.02-1.22, p = 0.012). The proportion of malnourished children was higher amonghouseholds with children with disabilities than households without it (6.3% vs. 2.4% p < 0.001). There are concerning gaps in access to NaHS services in Uganda, with households with children with disabilities reporting worse access, particularly for those with low WASH adequacy. Improved and inclusive access to NaHS and WASH needs to be urgently prioritized, especially for children with disabilities.

Utilizing geospatial artificial intelligence to map cancer disparities across health regions

We have developed an innovative tool, the Intelligent Catchment Analysis Tool (iCAT), designed to identify and address healthcare disparities across specific regions. Powered by Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, our tool employs a robust Geographic Information System (GIS) to map healthcare outcomes and disease disparities. iCAT allows users to query publicly available data sources, health system data, and treatment data, offering insights into gaps and disparities in diagnosis and treatment paradigms. This project aims to promote best practices to bridge the gap in healthcare access, resources, education, and economic opportunities. The project aims to engage local and regional stakeholders in data collection and evaluation, including patients, providers, and organizations. Their active involvement helps refine the platform and guides targeted interventions for more effective outcomes. In this paper, we present two sample illustrations demonstrating how iCAT identifies healthcare disparities and analyzes the impact of social and environmental variables on outcomes. Over time, this platform can help communities make decisions to optimize resource allocation.

Success in vaccination programming through community health workers: a qualitative analysis of interviews and focus group discussions from Nepal, Senegal and Zambia

ObjectivesCommunity health workers are essential to front-line health outreach throughout low-income and middle-income countries, including programming for early childhood immunisation. Understanding how community health workers are engaged for successful early...

Early Exposure to Orthopaedic Surgery.

Disparities in early orthopaedic experiences among medical students prompt a critical examination of factors influencing the availability and nature of these exposures. While the current body of literature underscores the significance of early surgical exposure and mentorship in medical education, a notable gap exists in investigating early orthopaedic exposure and its specific impact on students from diverse backgrounds. A 16-item questionnaire, approved by our institutional review board, was administered to fourth-year medical students (MS4) and first-year orthopaedic residents (PGY-1) across U.S. orthopaedic surgery programs during the 2022-2023 application cycle. The questionnaire assessed participants' initial orthopaedic exposures and factors influencing interest in the field. Two-proportion Z-test analyses were conducted to analyze the data, and thematic analysis was used to assess qualitative data involving free-response questions. Out of 72 total respondents, the study revealed that 83% of respondents encountered orthopaedics before medical school, with initial exposures stemming from various sources such as familial connections (28%), athletics(17%), and high school or college exposures (15%), including shadowing, athletics participation, and occupation-related exposure. Disparities were observed in the availability of orthopaedic mentors and early exposure opportunities between demographic groups. Statistical analyses highlighted significant differences in access to mentors who reflected students' identities between male and non-male participants (70% vs. 39%, p=0.02) and between white and non-white participants (69% vs. 36%, p=0.02). White participants were also more likely to first interact with a surgeon who treated them or their family members than non-white participants (35% vs 7%, p=0.04). Non-white participants were more likely than white participants to come by their first orthopaedic opportunity by searching for it independently (21% vs. 4%, p=0.03). Family and friend connections in orthopaedics were found to be influential in motivating students to pursue orthopaedics, with 40% of respondents indicating personal connections in medicine and 12% reporting family members who are orthopaedic surgeons. Research experiences were identified as important contributors to students' initial interest and motivation to ultimately pursue orthopaedics, especially those with diverse backgrounds. The findings underscore the importance of early orthopaedic exposures in shaping students' interest in the field, highlighting the need for more immersive pre-clinical year opportunities and enhanced mentorship programs. Addressing disparities in mentorship access and early exposure opportunities requires systemic changes and increased support for underrepresented minorities in orthopaedics. Initiatives like mentorship programs and research opportunities can help bridge gaps in access to early orthopaedic experiences. Medical schools should prioritise targeted early access to orthopaedic exposures for all students, regardless of background. This initiative aims to promote inclusivity and cultivate a more diverse orthopaedic workforce capable of meeting the evolving healthcare needs of society.

A Review of the Impact of Patent Medicine Vendors in Driving Community Tuberculosis Case Finding in the COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria

This review elucidates the pivotal role of patent medicine vendors (PMVs) in advancing community tuberculosis (TB) case finding in Nigeria, amidst the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. By synthesizing insights from in-depth analyses, the article explores PMVs’ adaptability, knowledge, community trust, and contributions to TB case-finding efforts during this unprecedented period. The study reveals that PMVs, despite varying levels of knowledge on TB symptoms and diagnosis, have demonstrated significant resilience and adaptability, incorporating innovative approaches such as virtual consultations to sustain case finding during the pandemic. Their substantial involvement in health-care delivery, especially in underserved areas, and the evident community trust in their services, positions them as crucial health-care resources in regions with limited access to formal health-care services. However, the review also uncovers challenges, including the need for quality assurance and adherence to guidelines, and emphasizes the importance of tailored training programs to bridge knowledge gaps and empower PMVs to contribute more effectively to early TB detection. The study underscores the potential of PMVs to bridge gaps in health-care access and advocates for strengthened collaborations between PMVs and formal health-care systems to optimize their role in identifying and referring suspected TB cases effectively. In conclusion, the article highlights the transformative contribution of PMVs in TB case finding in Nigeria, during the COVID-19 pandemic and proposes recommendations to enhance their impact through capacity strengthening, integration into formal health-care systems, and leveraging innovative technologies. The findings suggest that harnessing the potential of PMVs can significantly contribute to controlling TB and improving public health outcomes, especially in anticipation of further outbreaks, by fostering a more community-centered approach to case finding.

Transit access effectiveness in American metropolitan areas

This research examines transit effectiveness empirically through the lens of access to employment. The approach uses the gradual shift of mobility to access to introduce the Transit-Walk Access Gap (TWAG) as an effectiveness indicator. TWAG is evaluated in the 50 most populated American Metropolitan Areas, and the analyses offer three conclusions. First, transit access effectiveness should not be measured in isolation of spatial and temporal dimensions of the transit service. The results show that transit service is slightly effective in short travel times, but a gradual improvement in transit access effectiveness is noticed by increased travel-time thresholds. Results also indicate that the spatial coverage of effective transit rises with an increase in travel time. However, the nature of the relationship does not appear to be linear. Second, transit access effectiveness is Central Business District (CBD) centric in most American metropolitan areas. The correlation analysis declares that transit access effectiveness declines from a surfeit of effectiveness to relative scarcity as one moves out from the center. It is realized that the correlation becomes more substantial with an increase in the travel-time threshold. Third, transit access effectiveness is positively correlated with transit ridership. The magnitude of association is a function of the metropolitan area and the travel-time threshold, with Memphis as the most elastic and New York the least elastic metropolitan area. The transit access effectiveness indicator introduced here should not be viewed as final. As transit access data are becoming increasingly available and as the goal of transport is shifting from mobility to access, further research needs to be conducted to advance the understanding of access-related transit effectiveness. The adoption of the indicator is, ultimately, a political process.

Community Education and its Role in Promoting Smart Cities within a Rapidly Changing Technological Environment

This study explores the role of community education in smart city development within the Indonesian context. The purpose is to understand urban residents' perceptions, attitudes, and barriers toward technology and smart city initiatives and evaluate the effectiveness of current community education programs. A cross-sectional research design was employed, involving surveys and interviews with residents from cities participating in Indonesia's 'Towards 100 Smart Cities' initiative. Thematic and statistical analyses were conducted to analyze the data collected. The findings reveal a mix of optimism and concerns among respondents regarding technology and smart city initiatives, highlighting the importance of addressing privacy, security, and inclusivity issues. While current community education programs effectively raise awareness about smart city concepts, gaps in accessibility and inclusivity persist, suggesting the need for targeted interventions. The study's novelty lies in its contextualized approach to understanding smart city development within Indonesia's diverse urban landscape. It provides practical insights for policymakers and urban planners, emphasizing the importance of community education in promoting inclusive and participatory smart city development. The study contributes to the growing literature on smart city development by offering valuable insights and recommendations for advancing sustainable and equitable urban development in Indonesia and beyond.

NAVIGATING DENTISTRY’S AI REVOLUTION: OPPORTUNITIES IN PAKISTAN

The convergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and dentistry marks a profound shift in the way oral healthcare is delivered and managed. In Pakistan, where healthcare resources may be constrained, the integration of AI presents unique opportunities to enhance access, efficiency, and precision in dental practice. AI-powered tele-dentistry platforms offer remote consultations and diagnostics, bridging geographical gaps in access to specialized care. This empowers patients across Pakistan, ensuring timely interventions and expert opinions regardless of location.AI algorithms excel in radiographic interpretation, aiding in early detection of oral pathologies like caries and oral cancers. By augmenting diagnostic accuracy, AI mitigates the burden of oral diseases in Pakistan, optimizing resource allocation and improving patient outcomes. Additionally, AI-driven treatment planning streamlines workflows and enhances precision in dental procedures. From predictive modeling for orthodontic outcomes to computer-aided design of dental prosthetics, AI optimizes treatment efficacy and patient satisfaction. Embracing AI as a complementary tool, Pakistani dental professionals can unlock new horizons in care delivery. By integrating AI with traditional methodologies, dentists can navigate this transformative landscape, fostering innovation and excellence in oral healthcare nationwide.

Year in Industry: who gets access and what difference does it make? Access and awarding gaps in UK university undergraduate placement programmes

This article explores the extent to which students of different ethnicities, (dis)abilities, sexes, POLAR groups, and academic abilities undertake Year in Industry (YINI) placements and realise post-placement academic improvements, in comparison with non-YINI students. The benefits of work placements on student employability and graduate prospects are well-documented but less is known about which student groups gain access to placements. The study analyses secondary data relating to the sex, ethnicity, disability, POLAR group, grades, and degree classifications of 31,159 undergraduates graduating from a UK Russell Group university between 2016 and 2023, representing the largest study of its kind to date. The study found that students completing YINI programmes are significantly more likely to achieve first class (70.1% YINI, 28.5% non-YINI) and good degrees (97.7% YINI, 83.6% non-YINI). Importantly, the study found that YINI completion narrows awarding gaps found in the non-YINI population in relation to sex, disability, ethnicity, and POLAR group. The potential gains are greatest for male students, students with disabilities, Asian, Black and mixed ethnicity students, and students from low POLAR groups. However, access to placements is not proportionately distributed. Female students, students with disabilities, students from all ethnic minority groups and those of unknown ethnicity, and students from low POLAR groups are under-represented within the YINI population, suggesting placement access gaps in relation to sex, disability, ethnicity, and POLAR group. The paper concludes with strategies to encourage YINI participation amongst diverse student groups and calls for further research into lived experiences of YINI and non-YINI students.

Unveiling transportation disparities: investigating accessibility gaps in metropolitan cities using GIS—a case study of Alexandria, Egypt

IntroductionPublic transportation is essential to reduce pollution and traffic congestion in urban areas. However, in densely populated regions like Alexandria, characterized by high population density and limited road infrastructure, accessibility to diverse transportation options is crucial.MethodsThis study investigates the accessibility of public transportation modes, including railways and buses, and their interaction with informal transit. Questioning if public transportation alone will be sufficient for pedestrians or if the presence of informal transit is crucial, and whether all residents of Alexandria have their rightful accessibility for different transport modes, the goal was to establish an efficient and interconnected transportation network. A survey was conducted in cooperation with Transport for Cairo to investigate all transport routes throughout Alexandria, further using ArcGIS Pro to identify gaps in public transportation coverage.ResultsFindings revealed that public transportation alone is insufficient due to limited bus and railway coverage because of their fixed linear routes. Informal transit, like microbuses, plays a vital role in filling these gaps.DiscussionThe study emphasizes the need for a comprehensive and sustainable transportation network that considers both formal and informal transit. These insights can guide policymakers and urban planners in improving public transportation in Alexandria and similar cities worldwide.

THE IMPACT OF BIG DATA ON HEALTHCARE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT: A THEORETICAL AND ANALYTICAL REVIEW

The intersection of big data and healthcare product development has catalyzed transformative shifts in the industry, revolutionizing how medical solutions are conceptualized, designed, and deployed. This theoretical and analytical review explores the profound impact of big data on healthcare product development, elucidating its implications across various facets of the healthcare landscape. Utilizing big data analytics, healthcare stakeholders can harness vast volumes of structured and unstructured data to derive actionable insights. These insights inform evidence-based decision-making processes, driving innovation in product development pipelines. By analyzing real-time patient data, trends, and treatment outcomes, developers gain invaluable insights into disease progression, treatment efficacy, and patient preferences, thus facilitating the creation of tailored, patient-centric solutions. Moreover, big data analytics play a pivotal role in improving patient outcomes and quality of care. Through predictive analytics and machine learning algorithms, healthcare providers can identify at-risk populations, predict disease outbreaks, and personalize treatment plans. This proactive approach enhances preventive care strategies and minimizes healthcare costs by averting complications and hospital readmissions. However, the integration of big data into healthcare product development is not without challenges. Data privacy and security concerns necessitate robust frameworks to safeguard sensitive patient information. Moreover, regulatory compliance frameworks must evolve to accommodate the complexities of big data analytics while ensuring patient safety and data integrity. Despite these challenges, the potential of big data in healthcare product development is vast. By leveraging big data analytics, stakeholders can bridge gaps in healthcare access and equity, tailor interventions to underserved populations, and optimize resource allocation. In conclusion, this review underscores the transformative impact of big data on healthcare product development. By embracing data-driven approaches, stakeholders can drive innovation, enhance patient outcomes, and navigate the evolving healthcare landscape with agility and efficacy.&#x0D; Keywords: Big Data, Healthcare Product Development, Innovation, Patient Outcomes, Data Analytics, Regulatory Compliance.

Abstract 5164: Deployment of ASPYRE-Lung targeted variant panel across three sites and testing with FFPE tissue and cytology-derived nucleic acid samples

Abstract While there is no shortage of approved targeted therapeutics to address driver mutations in NSCLC, many patients are not tested for these alterations due to gaps in biomarker testing access. Challenges in NSCLC molecular testing include the need for assessment of multiple variants in both DNA and RNA, samples are often small specimens, cost, and clinical need for rapid turn-around time when patients are deteriorating and require timely treatment initiation. ASPYRE-Lung detects a targeted panel of 114 actionable genomic variants across 11 genes, covering NCCN treatment guideline-recommended biomarkers for samples that are associated with NSCLC. The assay simultaneously analyzes DNA and RNA with inputs of only 20 ng and 6 ng respectively. ASPYRE-Lung is easily adoptable by standard clinical laboratories, requiring only PCR and qPCR thermocyclers, with no specialist bioinformatics skills required for analysis and a run time of 2 days from specimen to result. We established the assay at two external sites and Biofidelity laboratories, with multiple operators at each site. We first determined that the assay had acceptable performance at each site, using a panel of contrived control samples. We then examined 56 matched DNA and RNA samples extracted from clinical FFPE lung tissue specimens. We also tested 29 unmatched samples derived from FFPE tissue (13), fine needle aspirate (FNA, 4), FNA rinse (5), peritoneal fluid (1), pleural effusion (1), pleural fluid (1) and fresh tissue (4), at all 3 sites. Data were analyzed using a simple cloud-based turnkey analysis solution. All samples yielded valid results across all runs. We assessed reproducibility (inter-run precision) using all 85 clinical samples, across new and experienced users, achieving a positive percent agreement (PPA) of 100% and negative percent agreement (NPA) of 99.99%. We then assessed concordance with NGS results, investigating any discrepancies. The 69 FFPE tissue-derived samples (56 matched DNA/RNA, 7 unmatched DNA, and 6 TNA) had PPA 96.55% and NPA 99.98%. The 16 cytopathology-derived samples had PPA 100% and NPA 99.96%. Together, these results demonstrate high concordance of ASPYRE-Lung and NGS across different types of clinical samples, alongside ease of adoption of the ASPYRE-Lung assay with simple training and no specialist expertise required. ASPYRE-Lung promises to enable all patients with NSCLC to start appropriate treatment in a cost-effective and timely manner. Citation Format: Sarah E. Herlihy, Caren Gentile, Samantha J. Scott, Brandon A. Smith, Kathryn A. Stoll, Kala F. Schilter, Justyna Mordaka, Rebecca Palmer, Christina Xyrafaki, Elizabeth Gillon-Zhang, Candace King, Ryan Evans, Amanda Green, Ana-Luisa Silva, Magdalena Stolarek-Januszkiewicz, Kristine von Bargen, Iyelola Turner, Chau Ha Ho, Alejandra Collazos, Nicola Potts, Dilyara Nugent, Jinsy Jose, Eleanor Gray, Elyse Shapiro, Wendy J. Levin, Aishling Cooke, Barnaby Balmforth, Robert Osborne, Honey V. Reddi, Vivianna M. Van Deerlin. Deployment of ASPYRE-Lung targeted variant panel across three sites and testing with FFPE tissue and cytology-derived nucleic acid samples [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 5164.

Increasing pediatric radiation oncology capacity in sub-saharan Africa using technology: a pilot of a pediatric radiation oncology virtual training course

BackgroundThe shortage of skilled healthcare professionals in pediatric oncology and the limited access to training programs remain significant challenges in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa. The the Pediatric Radiation Oncology (Virtual) Course, ‘PedROC’ project aims to contribute to improving pediatric cancer outcomes in Nigeria by increasing the capacity of radiation oncology professionals. To address the gap in access to pediatric radiation oncology professional development, the PedROC project was created, harnessing technology to improve radiation oncology training via a curriculum delivered through web-conferencing. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the PedROC pilot in enhancing the capacity, confidence, and skill of radiation oncologists in decision-making, prescribing, and treatment planning of radiotherapy for children diagnosed with cancer.MethodsA multidisciplinary faculty of specialists in radiation oncology, pediatric oncology, oncology nursing, radiation therapy technology, and medical physics collaborated to identify the key learning needs in pediatric radiation oncology in the country. The team collaborated to develop a comprehensive curriculum covering the most common pediatric cancers in sub-Saharan Africa for the training program. The training course was conducted over two days, delivering twenty-four half-hour sessions for a total of 12 h, from July 31 to August 01, 2021.ResultsAnalysis of pre and post - training surveys showed a significant increase in self-reported confidence measures across all domains among radiation oncologists. The program successfully improved participants’ knowledge and confidence levels in managing common pediatric cancers using radiotherapy, particularly addressing radiotherapy-specific issues such as appropriate dose, target volume delineation, treatment planning, dose constraints, and plan evaluation.ConclusionThe PedROC pilot showed the efficacy of this model in enhancing the capacity and confidence of radiation oncology professionals involved in the treatment of pediatric cancer. The findings indicate that technology holds significant potential to increase pediatric radiation oncology capacity in Africa, ensuring improved access to proper treatment and ultimately improving pediatric cancer outcomes.