Educational Programme from Europe to Asia Pacific: Travelling the Seven Seas

Abstract

The purpose of a travelling surgeon is to offer peer to peer support to improve surgical skills to a level where any orthopaedic surgeon is capable of safely performing a total hip arthroplasty (THA). The Corail® Hip System requires few instruments, is relatively easy to implant and has forgiving features when implanted in a less than optimal manner. By using this hip system, surgeons across the globe are able to perform a safe and successful THA, without the necessity of being a high volume surgeon. THA is best taught face-to-face in a one-to-one surgeon environment. This type of training programme was developed less than 10 years ago by the co-author, who is an orthopaedic surgeon himself and responsible for professional education within DePuy. Professional education can also reach a wider audience via live surgery with simultaneous video and audio conferencing. The challenge is to bring the surgical skills required for safe THA into remote and developing areas in Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacifi c. One key objective of DePuy’s professional educational programme is the desire to improve surgical skills, to enhance the survivorship of THA and to increase the overall quality of life and safety of patients (Fig. 13.1).