[Trauma surgery in Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS)].

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Surgical Education
• Orthopedic Surgery

Background:

• Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face unique challenges due to economic weakness and geographic dispersion.
• High rates of injury, particularly upper extremity fractures, burden surgical departments in Pacific SIDS.
• Limited access to specialized surgical care, including surgeons, anesthetists, and obstetricians (SAO), exacerbates complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish and describe the Pacific Islands Orthopedic Association (PIOA) training program.
• To enhance trauma and orthopedic surgery capacity within Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
• To provide recognized surgical qualifications free of charge to participants.

Main Methods:

• The PIOA offers a 4-year structured trauma and orthopedic surgery training program.
• Training is conducted within the participating surgeons' home countries in the Pacific SIDS.
• The AO Alliance Foundation (AOAF) and Wyss Medical Foundation support the PIOA program.

Main Results:

• The PIOA program provides comprehensive, accredited training (M-Med and FICS).
• Currently, 18 trainees from 8 Pacific SIDS are enrolled.
• The program aims to build sustainable, in-country surgical expertise.

Conclusions:

• The PIOA program effectively addresses the critical need for specialized surgical training in Pacific SIDS.
• By offering free, localized education, PIOA enhances surgical capacity and improves patient outcomes in low and lower-middle-income countries.
• Collaborative efforts, such as that between PIOA and AOAF, are vital for global surgical development.