Table 2

Knowledge needs—policy

Policy
ElementKnowledge needsExplanation
Mandatory data setsAvailable data resourcesWhat data sources are currently available?
Data collection toolsWhat are the needs of service providers around data collection tool use?
Governmental needsWhat are the governmental needs concerning data collection?
Burden of surgical diseaseWhat is the burden of disease?
Service needs among service providers and usersWhat are the needs of service providers and users to enable data sets to capture relevant outcomes?
Surgical workforceScope of practice covered by curriculumWhat scope of practice should be covered by the curriculum?
Remote supervision requirementsWhich specialty levels/procedures require remote supervision? What is the best way to provide remote supervision?
Evidence for task shiftingDoes evidence support task shifting in the local setting?
Minimum requirements for accreditationWhat are the minimum requirements for accreditation of surgical providers? What constitutes locally appropriate continuous medical education?
Appropriate number of traineesWhat number of providers need to be trained to appropriately provide for the local need?
Mapping of institutesWhat is the current and desired geographical location of training institutions?
Ideal specialist densityWhat is the ideal number of each surgical cadre (including specialist physicians, trainee specialists, trainees and other providers)?
Strategies to encourage geographical retentionWhat will successfully encourage practitioners to remain in their geographical areas?
Barriers to foreign registrationWhat are the barriers to registration of foreign providers?
Defined packages of careCost effectiveness of specific proceduresWhat is the acceptability and cost effectiveness of specific procedures?
Country specific DALYsWhat are countries’ experienced disability-adjusted-life years for surgical conditions?
Burden of diseaseWhat is the burden of disease?
Level of training requiredWhat local level of training is required in order to perform different procedures?
Mapping of available services, resources and providersWhat services, resources (funding, equipment, infrastructure, etc) and providers (numbers, knowledge, etc) are currently available to provide surgical care?
Costing of services and resourcesWhat are the costs of services and resources that will be necessary to ensure adequate packages of care?
Stakeholder inputStakeholder understanding of dataDo patients and providers understand surgical data well enough to inform policy?
Barriers and facilitators to transparency and trustWhat are the barriers and facilitators to enable involvement of patients and providers in policy making?