For P.M. ReleaseWednesday, February 13, 2002
For more information, contact:A.J. Wright847-384-4034, [email protected]
Todd Schuetz847-384-4032, [email protected]
Claudette Yasell847-384-4035, [email protected]
Volunteerism may relieve the musculoskeletal burden in developing nations
DALLAS--Sixty to eighty percent of the world's population lives in developing regions with lack of access to basic health care. Orthopaedic care is virtually inaccessible to more than half of the world's population. The musculoskeletal disease burden in the developing world is predicted to increase over the next twenty years. Common orthopaedic conditions treated in the developing world include: late presentation of trauma, untreated congenital deformities, and sequelae of infectious disease.
On Thursday, February 14, 2002 at 1:00 p.m., the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons will hold an instructional course entitled Orthopaedic Surgery in the Developing World. The course will take place during the Annual Meeting at the Dallas Convention Center. The moderator R. Richard Coughlin, MD, will lead a group of physicians whose focus is on orthopaedic care in the developing nations and the short term volunteer efforts including practical aspects of working abroad, specific techniques and opportunities for service.
The various types of volunteer programs will be explored as well as the advantages to both patient and doctor. Currently, the majority of the volunteers are retired orthopaedic surgeons who have both the time and resources to participate in extended missions, and many have experience diagnosing and treating conditions no longer prevalent in the developed world. Young orthopaedic surgeons face numerous barriers to participation in international volunteerism such as non-recognition of overseas programs toward board certification, and pressures to begin private practice to pay off medical school debts.
At the University of California, San Francisco, the Department of Orthopedics has developed an elective in international volunteerism. "We believe that early exposure to international volunteering will promote a lifelong commitment to volunteerism and enhance resident training. Residents who have participated in international volunteerism are likely to continue to volunteer after residency" stated Dr. Coughlin. The residents cite that exposure to "third world" orthopaedic problems in a supervised setting decreases the anxiety associated with future missions to the developing world. The UCSF program is in conjunction with Orthopaedics Overseas. Residents rotate at the Orthopaedics Overseas site in Umtata, a small city located in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Chris McConnachie, a U.S. board certified orthopaedic surgeon serves as program director.
The AAOS has provided great support and motivation for overseas volunteer activities such as the Task Force on Volunteerism, Humanitarian Awards, Instructional Course Lectures, and the International Center for Orthopaedic Education. The Bone and Joint Decade is raising global awareness of the burden of musculoskeletal disease. The world community is also recognizing the importance of volunteer activities.
"The shift from rural to urban economies in the developing world will increase the number and severity of motor vehicle and industrial accidents, the aging population throughout the world will require care for arthritis and osteoporosis. Beyond these peacetime problems, there are additional injuries that occur from civil unrest, war and land mines. The provision of physicians and medicine from the developed world is not sufficient to meet the projected need for orthopaedic care", said Dr. Coughlin. "Programs that emphasize education and training provide a more sustainable solution. Overseas volunteering may be the antidote to managed care; opportunities vary widely in scope and duration. All you have to do is decide where you want to go and how much time you have."
The 25,5000 member American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (www.aaos.org) or (http://orthoinfo.aaos.org), is a not-for-profit organization that provides education programs for orthopaedic surgeons, allied health professionals and the public.
An advocate for improved patient care, the Academy is participating in the Bone and Joint Decade (www.boneandjointdecade.org), the global initiative in the years 2000-2010 to raise awareness of musculoskeletal health, stimulate research and improve people's quality of life.
The Academy's Annual Meeting is being held February 13-17, 2002, at the Dallas Convention Center, Dallas.
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