Standardised Competency-Based Training of Medical Doctors and Associate Clinicians in Inguinal Repair with Mesh in Sierra Leone.

"Declarations Conflict of interestConflict of Interest Disclosures: Dr T. Ashley reported having completed the Surgical Training Programme (STP) organized by CapaCare in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS). Drs T. Ashley, Bolkan, and van Duinen reported serving as board members of CapaCare, the nongovernmental organization responsible for organizing the STP. Dr Wladis, Dr Nordin, Dr Ohene-Yeboah, Dr Rukas and Dr Lipnickas participated as trainers in this project. Dr Kalsi reported receiving grants from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and Dr Löfgren from the Swedish Research Council during the conduct of the study. No other disclosures were reported.Informed consentInformed consent was obtained from all patients in the study. Conflict of interest Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Dr T. Ashley reported having completed the Surgical Training Programme (STP) organized by CapaCare in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS). Drs T. Ashley, Bolkan, and van Duinen reported serving as board members of CapaCare, the nongovernmental organization responsible for organizing the STP. Dr Wladis, Dr Nordin, Dr Ohene-Yeboah, Dr Rukas and Dr Lipnickas participated as trainers in this project. Dr Kalsi reported receiving grants from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and Dr Löfgren from the Swedish Research Council during the conduct of the study. No other disclosures were reported. Informed consent Informed consent was obtained from all patients in the study."

"Funding Open access funding provided by NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology (incl St. Olavs Hospital - Trondheim University Hospital). The Swedish Research Council."

"Trial Registration : International Clinical Trial Registry ISRCTN63478884."