FORTE session update
This year experienced record numbers of trainees attending the Federation of Orthopaedic Trainees in Europe (FORTE) session at the EFORT Congress in Copenhagen. The session was opened by the president of FORTE, Enis Guryel who spoke with passion about some of the issues surrounding orthopaedic training across Europe and continuing education. Everyone in the audience identified with many of the aspects discussed. In a European society without borders, it is necessary for all orthopaedic surgeons to be properly and equally trained.
Francisco Pinto Guerra gave an enthusiastic talk about training in Portugal. Supported by well-organized data from surveys they have performed it made all of us realise that – no matter how different our backgrounds may be – all residents face the same problems and dilemmas in every day practice but we share the same dreams. Many trainees expressed their wish for equality in training. It is apparent that this currently does not exist and the European Board of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (EBOT) exam could be a method in providing standards of orthopaedic training across Europe.
Paul Ackerman presented an update on the fellowship that FORTE is organising together with the Karolinska University Hospital of Stockholm. Supported generously by DePuy each year, three fellows will have the opportunity to train for 4 months each in orthopaedic trauma at one of the largest trauma units in Europe. We await the feedback from the first of these when he starts in September. Further applications will be possible throughout this year so please visit our website for further details (www.forte-orthopaedics.com).
At the end of the session a new committee was elected. We are pleased to announce that two new roles were identified. Our new committee includes:
- Enis Guryel (UK) – President
- Bram Hentenaar (Netherlands) – Secretary
- Erica Domeij-Arverud (Sweden) – Treasurer
- Francisco Guerra Pinto (Portugal) – Education Representative
- Nikolaos Paschos (Greece) – Publicity Representative
- Levon Ghazaryan (Armenia) – Communication Representative
- Shirley Lyle (UK) – Webmaster
FORTE now represents over 16 countries and approximately 3500 members. Further countries have established their own National trainee association, linked to FORTE. The most recent was Denmark and we welcome the Young Orthopaedic Danish Association (YODA). Primary goals of the federation are to promote friendship and fellowship together with teaching and training. FORTE hopes to reach out to orthopaedic surgeons, link with industry and to provide a reference point for orthopaedic training matters. This year, FORTE will continue its close collaboration with EFORT and work together to improve education and training.
Best wishes,
Nikolaos Paschos, M.D., PhDc,
Resident in Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgery
Publicity Representative, FORTE committee
