Abstract
Introduction and Aims: Much of the world faces life without affordable health care. The burden of affordable specialist care has fallen, in large part, on visiting medical volunteers. However, culturally and resource-appropriate patient care is possible. Surgical specialties such as orthopaedic surgery can be developed by providing seed knowledge and skill and developing indigenous skills.
Method: This presentation is based on personal experience in developing countries, specifically the Sihanouk Hospital Centre of HOPE.
Results: Surgical and orthopaedic training has been developed in this resource-poor environment and the individual challenges have been met. A graduate approach to instruction and training is needed and this takes longer than would be the case in a more developed setting.
Conclusion: Surgical training programs, which respect local attitudes and culture, can be set up in resource-poor settings.
These abstracts were prepared by Editorial Secretary, George Sikorski. Correspondence should be addressed to Australian Orthopaedic Association, Ground Floor, The William Bland Centre, 229 Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia.
One or more of the authors are receiving or have received material benefits or support form a commercial source.
