[Re: https://www.hifa.org/dgroups-rss/spotlight-cataract-5-helpmesee-1-simula... ]
Dear Van and all,
Thank you for explaining the mission and strategy of your organisation HelpMeSee www.helpmesee.org We look forward to learning more. What led you (or others) to start HelpMeSee and how has it evolved until now? I note that simulation-based training is at the heart of your mission.
On behalf of HIFA we are delighted to be collaborating with you on our upcoming Spotlight, starting on World Sight Day 8 October: Cataract Blindness, Surgical Quality, and the Value of Simulation-Based Training. www.hifa.org/cataract
We shall explore the following questions (additional questions are welcome):
1. What is the burden of cataract worldwide and in different countries?
2. Who performs cataract surgery? (eg medical ophthalmologists, non-physician cataract surgeons)
3. What is the availability and quality of cataract surgery?
4. How does simulation-based training work? How can we maximise the benefits?
5. What international guidance is available from WHO and other international bodies? How is national policy developed and implemented?
6. What information resources are available for training?
7. Do patients and the general population have access to reliable information about cataract and cataract surgery?
To ensure we have a great discussion here on HIFA over the coming days, I would like to invite all HIFA members to forward this message to any contacts you may have who work in eye health, whether as specialists or (importantly) as general primary health workers responsible for identifying and referring cases. Please forward this message to them and invite them to join us: www.hifa.org/joinhifa
Many thanks, Neil
HIFA profile: Neil Pakenham-Walsh is coordinator of HIFA (Healthcare Information For All), a global health community that brings all stakeholders together around the shared goal of universal access to reliable healthcare information. HIFA has 20,000 members in 180 countries, interacting in four languages and representing all parts of the global evidence ecosystem. HIFA is administered by Global Healthcare Information Network, a UK-based nonprofit in official relations with the World Health Organization. Email: neil@hifa.org