SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-From Berlin to Kigali to Idlib- Adapting Ards Diagnosis to Protracted, Complex Humanitarian Emergencies

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This presentation describes an effort to adapt critical care education for Northwest Syria, where a decade of war has severely weakened the health system. With most physicians missing, only a handful of critical care specialists, and no formal critical care training programs, the team responded to a predicted COVID-19 surge by rapidly building and delivering practical training tailored to local constraints.<br /><br />The project focused on translating modern ARDS and ICU management into “lo-fi” strategies that could work in austere, resource-limited settings. Key components included rapid assessment of local staffing and equipment, collaboration with NGOs, development and translation of educational materials, pre-distribution of guides, live lectures that were recorded and posted online, and follow-up surveys to identify future learning needs. The curriculum emphasized the Kigali Modification for ARDS diagnosis, ARDSNet-based management, task shifting through “prone teams,” and use of available treatments such as dexamethasone, remdesivir, baricitinib, tocilizumab, and heparin.<br /><br />The educational model aimed not only to teach clinical content but also to strengthen local capacity and support ongoing, needs-based learning. Results were highly positive: 92% of participants rated the training good or excellent, 96% wanted more lectures, and 99% reported that the training would change their practice.<br /><br />Overall, the work shows that adapted, low-resource educational interventions can meaningfully improve critical care knowledge and practice in conflict-affected settings, helping bridge the gap between new medical advances and war zones like Northwest Syria.

Asset Subtitle

Riley G. Jones

Meta Tag

Author List Collins Ouru, Denisse Pareja, Drew Stein, Hala Alghawi, Joshua Latner, Kellee Taylor, Marwa Saleh, Mustafa Al Edou, Nicholas Vernace, Rachel C. Jones, Ray Richhart, Riley G. Jones, Varsha Kurup

Category Innovations

Concept Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Concept Kigali Modification

Concept ARDSNet Protocol

Concept COVID-19

Concept Dexamethasone

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University of Florida

Presenting Author Riley G. Jones

Track Education

Keywords

critical care education

Northwest Syria

COVID-19 surge

ARDS management

ICU training

resource-limited settings

Kigali Modification

task shifting

prone teams

conflict-affected health system

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Kigali Modification

ARDSNet Protocol

COVID-19

Dexamethasone