Table 1 Summary of search terms, records retrieved, and Articles included in the review Article

Workforce and Equity

(“Equity in surgeon distribution“[All Fields] OR “Training gaps“[All Fields] OR “Workforce distribution“[All Fields] OR “Workforce retention“[All Fields]) AND (“1995/01/01“[Date - Publication]: “2024/12/31“[Date - Publication])

Specialty

(“Cardiothoracic Surgery“[All Fields] OR “Cardiovascular Surgery“[All Fields] OR “Thoracic Surgery“[All Fields]) AND (Africa[MeSH Terms] OR “Low-income countries” OR LMICs OR “low-income setup”) AND (“1995/01/01“[Date - Publication]: “2024/12/31“[Date - Publication])

Geographic/Economic Context

(“Africa“[MeSH Terms] OR “East Africa“[All Fields] OR “Sub-Saharan Africa“[All Fields])

AND (“Low-income countries“[All Fields] OR “LMICs“[All Fields] OR “Developing countries“[All Fields])

AND (“Workforce distribution“[All Fields] OR “Cardiothoracic surgery“[All Fields] OR “Surgical workforce“[All Fields])

Combined/Final Search (using AND)*

(“Equity” OR “Training” OR “Workforce” OR “Retention” OR “Disparities”)

AND (“Cardiothoracic Surgery” OR “Cardiovascular Surgery” OR “Thoracic Surgery” OR “Cardiac Surgery”)

AND (“Africa” OR “Low-income countries” OR “LMIC*” OR “Developing countries”)