A Nationwide Survey of Undergraduate Training in Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery

• Published in: Zeitschrift fur Orthopadie und Unfallchirurgie Vol. 156; no. 2; p. 168
• Main Authors: Ruesseler, Miriam, Froehlich, Susanne, Ruesseler, Sigrid, Zabel, Julian, Sterz, Jasmina, Obertacke, Udo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: German
• Published: Germany 01.04.2018
• Subjects: Clinical Competence; Curriculum; Education, Medical, Undergraduate; Germany; Humans; Interdisciplinary Communication; Intersectoral Collaboration; National Health Programs; Orthopedics - education; Surveys and Questionnaires; Wounds and Injuries - surgery; Germany
• ISSN: 1864-6743
• DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-118220

Musculoskeletal conditions are the most frequent cause of long-term pain and disability. Scientifically funded, structured training would be highly desirable for all medical students and of great economic relevance for the health care system. The present article portrays the status quo of undergraduate training in orthopaedics and trauma surgery, with a comparison to the status quo of 2008. A 51-item questionnaire was sent to all heads of the departments of orthopaedics or trauma surgery at the 37 medical faculties in Germany. A return rate of 81.1% from orthopaedics and 73% from trauma surgery was attained. The organisation of undergraduate training in orthopaedics and trauma surgery is completely separated in 34.4% of hospitals. The corresponding figure in 2008 was 64%. The amount of training in lectures and practical training rarely changed during this period. Even closer collaboration between lecturers in orthopaedics and trauma surgery would be desirable. This would reflect the importance of the disciplines, as well as politico-economic relevance of musculoskeletal injuries and diseases, and would encourage the sharing of resources.