Enhancing Surgical Knowledge in Rural Communities: Insights From a Pilot Study

BACKGROUND: In rural communities, access to reliable health information presents a significant barrier to healthcare. Tailored educational tools are critical to bridge this gap and empower individuals to navigate their health journeys confidently. The Surgery for the People project created and validated a surgical manual to improve health literacy, build trust in the healthcare system, and provide essential surgical care knowledge to the local community. METHODS: The surgical manual development consisted of a multi-phase process that included assessing needs, developing accurate and culturally appropriate medical content, and validating the content with an advisory panel. Using the surgical manual, we surveyed 60 non-medically trained community leaders who were between the ages of 18-65. They came from nine rural communities across three cities in Nicaragua. Participants attended training sessions and completed pre- and post-training surveys to assess knowledge gained. Feedback on usefulness and phrasing was also collected. RESULTS: This pilot resulted in a comprehensive 71-page manual that includes words, pictures, and illustrations. The mean pre-test score was 40% (p < 0.001), which increased to 69% in the post-test (p < 0.001), 90% of participants found the manual very useful, while 100% believed it would be beneficial for others in their community. CONCLUSION: The pilot study significantly improved health literacy and knowledge about surgical care among rural community members. The surgical manual enhanced understanding, built trust in the health system, and demonstrated a sustainable model for health education and community partnership offering a great opportunity for adaptation in other global settings.