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Issue: April 2014
April 01, 2014
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Advancing education and training for orthopaedic residents across Europe

Issue: April 2014

In a continuously evolving world of medicine, orthopaedics is among the specialties leading toward the future. There are several reasons for this.

The increasing clinical need. With the population aging, orthopaedic complaints and procedures are expected to double within the next 50 years. For instance, today there are more than 100 million people in Europe, and approximately 50 million people in America suffering from osteoarthritis.

Orthopaedic practice is tightly connected with new technology, implants, procedures and techniques. For example, autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI), which is among the most common procedures today, was introduced in clinical practice only 15 years ago. Also, arthroplasty implants generations change every 3 years to 7 years.

The orthopaedic literature has increased significantly in the last 25 years. A simple PubMed search in years 2006 to 2009 shows 34,136 results related to orthopaedics while for 2010 to 2013 the same search results in 46,974 articles.

In this era of continuous change and evolution, orthopaedic training and education gain even more significance. This is where the Federation of Orthopaedic Trainees in Europe (FORTE) plays a major role in the field.

FORTE was established in 2005 in Lisbon. It represents all trainees in orthopaedics from day 1 of their residency up to 2 years after they complete it. Our aims are simple:

  • To promote and improve the standards of orthopaedic training in Europe.
  • To provide a basis for international links for orthopaedic trainees across Europe.
  • To act as a communications center with information about courses and educational opportunities.
  • To build a database of educational activities and fellowship opportunities.
  • To act as a point of referral and contact for industry, educational bodies and government regarding orthopaedic training in Europe.
  • To represent the interests of trainees in orthopaedic surgery in Europe.

The Executive Board consists of Nikolaos Paschos (Greece), Giulio Maria Marcheggiani Muccioli (Italy), Shirley Lyle (UK), Gazi Huri (Turkey) and four board members who are Caglar Yilgor (Turkey), João Vide (Portugal), Peter Van Winterswijk (The Netherlands) and Enis Guryel (UK).

FORTE is becoming even stronger and is growing rapidly. It is now possible to accomplish our goal of having a reference for all orthopaedic residents in Europe. Already 19 European countries are actively involved and by the end of 2014 hopefully we will reach 22 countries. It is estimated there are 3,000 active members in FORTE’s activities. Please visit our website or join us on Facebook and Twitter.

FORTE is involved in several activities. Three orthopaedic residents per year are trained in the Orthopaedic Trauma Fellowship at Karolinska University Hospital and Institute in Stockholm, Sweden which FORTE organizes and which is supported by DePuy Synthes.

Moreover, FORTE is preparing a book series in collaboration with Springer focusing in key aspects for the preparation of residents for the exams of the different nations and European Boards of Orthopaedics and Traumatology.

In addition, we are closely collaborating with orthobullets.com in an attempt to establish an e-learning system. Further, we are planning to organize our first annual FORTE meeting at the end of 2014.

Nikolaos K. Paschos
Nikolaos K. Paschos

From time to time FORTE performs surveys of European orthopaedic residents evaluate their needs and interests.

FORTE has also initiated a strong collaboration with the European Federation of National Associations of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (EFORT). We believe it is of great importance to unite our efforts towards a high-level, uniform orthopaedic training across Europe. We aim to provide a continuous improvement of educational activities and to generate a European curriculum in orthopaedics and traumatology.

Within EFORT, the voice of the trainees will be stronger, training and educational activities will enhance and excellence in orthopaedic knowledge will be even more feasible to achieve.

History has taught us that in Europe there are far more elements that unite us than separate us. Europeans live close to each other and technological advancements have brought us even closer. By 2050, the orthopaedic surgeons across Europe should be part of one united community without borders. After all, it is not surprising to see that many similarities exist among the different countries regarding orthopaedic training.

FORTE is excited to invite you to our session in collaboration with the British Orthopaedic Trainees Association, on Wednesday 4 June at 15.00, during the 2014 EFORT Congress. We will see you all in London!

  • Author:
  • Nikolaos K. Paschos, MD, PhD
    FORTE President