Orthopaedic Trauma Association Global Outreach Task Force Proceedings.

Area of Science:

• Orthopaedic Surgery
• Global Health Education

Background:

• The Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) initiated a strategic plan in 2020 focusing on global outreach.
• A task force was formed to assess global orthopaedic trauma educational needs and potential partnerships.

Purpose of the Study:

• To understand the current global demand for orthopaedic trauma education.
• To identify how the OTA can better collaborate with international colleagues.

Main Methods:

• Reviewed international demographics of OTA membership.
• Distributed two surveys: one to OTA members and one to international orthopaedic trauma surgeons.
• Analyzed survey responses to summarize findings for the OTA Board of Directors.

Main Results:

• OTA members expressed significant interest in developing global outreach initiatives.
• The global outreach survey garnered 72 responses from 28 countries, primarily lower and lower-middle income nations in Asia and Africa.
• International respondents indicated a strong need for enhanced online educational materials and regional, resource-specific orthopaedic trauma courses.

Conclusions:

• A large majority of OTA members consider global orthopaedics a high priority central to the organization's mission.
• International respondents affirmed the necessity and value of global orthopaedics, highlighting demand for more educational opportunities and collaboration.
• There is a clear need for increased online educational content and targeted regional training courses in orthopaedic trauma.