IARS 2026 International Outreach Travel Grant Interview: Yohannes Mola Asemu, PhD, FAIMER Fellow

Professional Development that Improves Care Quality: A Multicenter Evaluation of Non-Physician Anesthesia Practice in Ethiopia

Abstract Presentation:

Poster Session A, Friday, May 1, 2026, 10:00 am – 11:00 am, in Square Dorchester + Place du Canada, Convention Level at Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, during the 2026 Annual Meeting, Presented by IARS and SOCCA

As an anesthesia provider bridging frontline clinical experience and health systems leadership, Yohannes Mola Asemu, PhD, FAIMER Fellow, observed that patient outcomes can be significantly impacted not only by clinical interventions but by the provider’s competency and training background. With a passion for ensuring superior patient care, Dr. Asemu set out to study and improve the continuing professional development (CPD) training and other workforce regulations in his home country of Ethiopia to improve quality of care. His research is generating compelling evidence that demonstrates how CPD and other regulatory frameworks directly improve care quality and patient outcomes, particularly in high-stakes fields like anesthesia. He hopes this evidence will inform policy, strengthen regulations, and ultimately improves patient safety and perioperative care. Dr. Asemu’s efforts to improve patient care were recently recognized with a IARS 2026 International Outreach Travel Grant for his study on “Professional Development that Improves Care Quality: A Multicenter Evaluation of Non-Physician Anesthesia Practice in Ethiopia.” He will present the promising outcomes of this work during Poster Session A on Friday, May 1, during the 2026 Annual Meeting, presented by IARS and SOCCA, in Montreal, Canada. In the following interview, he discusses his research motivations, how this grant will impact patient care and how the IARS meeting will play a major role in the trajectory of his research.

1. For this research, you are…

Principal investigator

2. What drew you to this area of research? Has it evolved since your initial research project?

My interest in this research was shaped by both frontline clinical experience and health systems work. As an anesthesia provider, I observed that patient outcomes depend not only on clinical interventions but also on the provider’s competence and continuous development. This became even clearer in my systems role, where I observed that the health workforce, recognized by the World Health Organization as a core building block, remains insufficiently addressed in efforts to improve care quality.

My focus has since evolved toward understanding how continuing professional development (CPD) and other workforce regulation mechanisms translate into measurable improvements in practice. In Ethiopia, where CPD is required for re-licensure, I am motivated to generate evidence that informs policy, strengthens regulation, and ultimately improves patient safety and perioperative care.

3. What are the goals you most want to accomplish in your work with this research project (or projects)?

My goal is to position this research as a catalyst for transforming how health systems invest in and regulate their workforce. I aim to generate compelling evidence that demonstrates how CPD and other regulatory frameworks directly improve care quality and patient outcomes, particularly in high-stakes fields like anesthesia.

Beyond this project, I seek to influence policy and practice at scale by embedding evidence-informed CPD within national regulatory frameworks. Ultimately, I envision contributing to a broader shift where health workforce development is recognized as a central driver of quality care, mobilizing sustained political commitment, global attention, and partner investment to strengthen perioperative safety and health outcomes in low-resource settings.

4. What is the potential impact of your research on the field of anesthesia and patient care?

This research has the potential to shift the conversation in anesthesia from in-service training as a requirement to training as a measurable driver of patient safety. By demonstrating that CPD is directly associated with improved patient satisfaction, fewer critical incidents, and stronger adherence to standards, it provides actionable evidence for strengthening anesthesia practice.

More broadly, it positions workforce development and regulation as a core patient safety intervention, informing policy, guiding investment, and reinforcing accountability. In low-resource settings, where non-physician anesthetists deliver the majority of care, this evidence can directly contribute to safer perioperative services and better patient outcomes at scale.

5. How do you feel about receiving the IARS International Outreach Travel Grant?

Receiving the IARS International Outreach Travel Grant would be both an honor and a strong validation of the relevance and impact of my work. It represents an opportunity to bring evidence from a low-resource setting onto a global scientific platform, ensuring that the realities and innovations from contexts like Ethiopia are part of the broader conversation on anesthesia quality and patient safety. I see it not only as recognition, but as a responsibility to contribute meaningfully to the field and to amplify the voice of non-physician anesthesia providers.

6. How will this grant affect your research and professional trajectory?

This grant would be a pivotal step in accelerating both my research and leadership trajectory. It would provide access to mentorship, global expertise, and cutting-edge methodologies that will strengthen the scientific rigor and impact of my work. Beyond this project, it will position me to build sustained international collaborations and expand research capacity in Ethiopia. Ultimately, it will support my transition into a leader who not only generates evidence, but also translates it into policy, workforce development, regulation, and improved patient outcomes at scale.

7. What are the benefits of presenting your research at the IARS Annual Meeting?

Presenting at the IARS Annual Meeting offers a unique opportunity to engage with global experts, receive high-level scientific feedback, and refine my work to meet international standards. It also creates space to build meaningful collaborations with researchers and institutions working on health workforce development and regulation, patient safety, and anesthesia quality. Importantly, it provides a platform to highlight evidence from low-resource settings, fostering a two-way exchange of knowledge that can inform both global practice and locally relevant solutions.

8. Is there anyone else you wish to acknowledge as part of this research team?

I am deeply grateful to my mentors, Prof Thomas van den Akker, Prof Fedde Scheele, and Dr Tegbar Yigzaw, whose guidance and intellectual support have been instrumental throughout this work. I also sincerely acknowledge the leadership and the Health Workforce Improvement Project team at Jhpiego Ethiopia for their unwavering support in implementing this research.

9. Outside of your research, what might someone be surprised to learn about you?

Outside of my professional work, I have a creative side shaped by my upbringing—I am the son of a tailor, and I enjoy designing clothes in my spare time. It’s a passion that allows me to express creativity in a different way, and it reflects the same attention to detail and craftsmanship that I bring to my work in healthcare and research.