EMPOWEReD: A Scalable Educational Model Addressing Non-Technical Skills for Global Surgery

Background: Global Surgery demands clinicians who are clinically competent, adaptable, collaborative, and equipped with strong leadership and communication skills - competencies that remain underrepresented in traditional medical education. In the UK, a high-income country with structured training pathways, the 2024 GMC National Training Survey reported only 60% of trainees felt prepared for their first clinical post, down from 70% in 2021. Cited reasons included limited exposure to realities of day-to-day clinical practice and challenges adapting to new teams/hospitals. These gaps are likely amplified in global surgical settings, where clinicians face resource constraints and cross-cultural challenges. Methods: The Empowering Medical Professionals through Peer-led, Online, and Work-based Education for Real-world Development (EMPOWEReD) Initiative is a scalable, peer-led model integrating SIMBA (Simulation via Instant Messaging for Bedside Application) and CoMICs (Concise Medical Information Cines). Delivered through accessible digital platforms, it fosters leadership, teamwork, and communication in a supportive environment. A mixed-methods impact evaluation is done combining quantitative pre- and post-project surveys and qualitative interviews. Sustainability is supported by peer-mentorship and low-resource-compatible digital tools. Results: In pre-project survey, mentees rated their leadership, communication, and teamwork confidence on a 1–5 scale (1 = unconfident, 5 = fully confident). Results showed 28.5% had low leadership confidence, with over half seeking improvement in leadership and communication. Conclusion: The EMPOWEReD program addresses critical educational gaps by strengthening leadership and collaboration skills essential for effective care in diverse, resource-limited surgical contexts. Final evaluation findings, due in July 2025, will inform further improvements and potential broader integration into global health curriculum.