Olof Bladin

Dr. Olof Bladin's clinical role focuses on reconstructive plastic surgery. His journey in the field of global surgery began during his final year of medical school in 2019 when he joined the research team after completing his master's thesis on groin hernia repair in women.

Building on the research team’s previous work, Dr. Bladin's current focus within his Ph.D. program revolves around the intricacies of surgical training and the learning curve associated with open groin hernia repair. Having established a foundation with the assessment of the learning curve for open anterior mesh repair in groin hernia using data from the Swedish Hernia Register, he is now delving deeper into innovative approaches.

Dr. Bladin's research involves open surgical simulation of groin hernia repair, utilizing a 3D-printed hernia model. This methodology not only enhances comprehension of anatomy within a 3D environment but also provides a solid platform for training in surgical techniques. Dr. Bladin is conducting two studies in sub-Saharan Africa, specifically in Uganda and Sierra Leone. These studies aim to investigate the impact of open surgical simulation on the learning curve of open groin hernia repair, with the ultimate goal of addressing the substantial need for surgical services in low- and middle-income countries.

Recognizing the significant challenges posed by a scarcity of human resources in these regions, Dr. Bladin's project is designed to contribute to the improvement of surgical learning. By integrating surgical simulation into training protocols, the research endeavors to mitigate the shortage of skilled professionals, thereby enhancing the accessibility of surgical services on a global scale.