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FORTE reviews 2016 achievements, prepares for challenges ahead in 2017
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The general assembly of FORTE, which is the Federation of Orthopaedic Trainees in Europe, met at the FORTE Summit held in Lisbon, Portugal, on 26 November 2016. At the meeting, FORTE board members and national representatives reviewed the results of recent FORTE activities and identified objectives for future activities and efforts.
The past year was significant for FORTE because many goals were achieved. The FORTE session held on 2 June during the 17th EFORT Annual Congress in Geneva was successful. It began with a general assembly of FORTE members, which was followed by informative lectures, instructional lectures and free paper presentations.
Summer School
About 2 months later, a true breakthrough in terms of FORTE activities occurred when the first successful European orthopaedic Summer School was held in Faro, Portugal on 22 to 26 August. The feedback from the meeting faculty and participants was excellent. More than 110 students and 30 faculty members from 20 European countries attended the FORTE Summer School.
This event was developed by FORTE with the scientific collaboration of EFORT. It offered an excellent learning opportunity and helped attendees prepare for the national board exams of the European Board of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (EBOT). Furthermore, it provided attendees with a unique opportunity to network with their peers.
Following the success of this first edition of the FORTE Summer School, a second FORTE Summer School is being planned for 28 August to 1 September 2017 in Faro, Portugal. Information about the course can be found at www.forte-orthopaedics.com or by email at forte.orthop@gmail.com. Attendance is limited to 120 participants.
EBOT exam update
The FORTE Summit in November 2016 also provided an opportunity to discuss in-depth the exam that takes place at the end of the residency. There are different national exam scenarios throughout Europe, with only few nations, such as Spain and France, that have partially adopted or planned to adopt the EBOT exam. We expect, that in the near future, all European orthopaedic trainees will be able to certify their knowledge and the conclusion of their residency via the same standardized exam — one that is valid and recognized in all European countries.
Discussion during the Summit also focused on the available learning tools and how these can be disseminated appropriately. Therefore, an important aim of FORTE in 2017 is to improve online resources, as well as all the content and promotion of educational programs within orthopaedics. This project will require considerable effort, but it will be worthwhile because FORTE is certain that a shared platform for European trainees will be the base for developing a true European orthopaedic consciousness among the surgeons of tomorrow.
We expect there will be many other new challenges, ideas and ambitious programs for FORTE this year. Therefore, we encourage orthopaedic trainees in Europe to stay connected with FORTE by reading this column in Orthopaedics Today Europe and visiting our website regularly. Let’s start these new adventures together.
- References:
- www.forte-orthopaedics.com
- For more information:
- Tommaso Bonanzinga, MD, can be reached at email: t.bonanzinga@gmail.com.
- Luca La Verde, MD, can be reached at email: lucalaverde1@gmail.com.
Disclosures: Bonanzinga and La Verde report no relevant financial disclosures.