Musculoskeletal trauma services in Serbia

Area of Science:

• Orthopaedic Traumatology
• Public Health
• Healthcare Systems

Background:

• Serbia, a middle-income European country, faces challenges with a 22% unemployment rate.
• The healthcare system is territorially organized, with specialized departments in major cities and hospitals.
• Musculoskeletal trauma care involves 524 orthopaedic trauma surgeons, supplemented by general and pediatric surgeons.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the current state of orthopaedic traumatology services in Serbia.
• To identify strengths and weaknesses in the healthcare system's management of musculoskeletal trauma.
• To provide recommendations for future development and improvement of trauma care.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the healthcare system's territorial organization and distribution of medical institutions.
• Evaluation of specialist numbers and their distribution (1 orthopaedic trauma surgeon per 18,000 people).
• Review of existing preventive strategies for agricultural, industrial, and traffic injuries.

Main Results:

• Orthopaedic traumatology services are generally well-organized but accessibility varies based on proximity to medical facilities.
• Preventive strategies are developed, focusing on common injury types.
• The distribution of medical institutions is considered satisfactory.

Conclusions:

• Continuing medical education and standardization of equipment, diagnostics, and treatment protocols are crucial.
• Improving preventive strategies and medical transport facilities is recommended.
• Excluding inappropriate specialists will enhance the quality of care for musculoskeletal trauma.