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Technological Improvements in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs): A Review of the Literature and the “Sociedad de Lucha Contra el Cáncer” (SOLCA) Institutional Experience in Neuro-Radiosurgery During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic

Abstract:

Objective: Neurosurgery is a medical field that requires specialized professionals and equipment, 2 important but scarce resources in low- and middle-income countries. Our goal was to report our experience with the replacement and implementation of linear accelerators with radiosurgery capabilities at “Sociedad de Lucha Contra el Cáncer” (SOLCA) Hospital in Quito, Ecuador, and give some recommendations for future technological replacements (TRs). Methods: Two surveys were performed in SOLCA's radiosurgery department, one before the TR was finalized and one after, consisting of an open and multiple-choice questionnaire. Questions focused on the performance of the new equipment, perceptions regarding the training, and the influence of the pandemic on the whole process. In addition, we share our experience regarding the difficulties and benefits of TR at SOLCA. Results: The most-reported limitation was lack of training (48%). By the time of the second survey, 95.2% of the staff had already treated patients or planned a radiosurgical procedure; 42.9% considered training to have been adequate, and 76.2% felt that the pandemic hindered the training process. Currently, 33 radiosurgeries have been done (26 for the central nervous system and 7 stereotactic radiation body therapies). Conclusions: The TR in SOLCA had similarities with other experiences in low- and middle-income countries, but the pandemic brought additional limitations, mainly complicating the staff training. Nevertheless, those limitations can be resolved with a structured training program and international collaboration. Overall, the benefits obtained from a TR result in exponentially better medical care and accessibility to novel treatments.