Karl-Göran Thorngren, EFORT President and chair of the newly-formed EFORT FOUNDATION, about the new organisation’s concerns, intents and visions.
What was the driving force to establish the EFORT FOUNDATION?
Karl-Göran Thorngren
It is a vital interest of EFORT to improve the life of people with musculoskeletal disorders and injuries.
Approximately 8 out of 10 people experience severe low back pain at least once in their life, whereas 40% of the population over 70 in the industrialised world suffer from osteoarthritis of the knee.
These numbers are just a few examples showing that promoting science and research in the field of orthopaedics and traumatology is a central need. The formation of a separate structure was required in order to pursue this goal by means of fund awards.
Could you please specify the foundation’s goal of “promoting research and science”?
In comparison to other medical disciplines there is a lack of financing within the area of orthopaedics and traumatology. It is our aim to fill this gap. Moreover, there is a tremendous demand for grants – on the one hand for the realisation of specific research projects, but also for research visits and conference attendances. Grants and travel fellowships for talented and experienced young colleagues enable them to grow professionally. Furthermore we would like to create a sustainable scientific value and foster the acceptance of pioneering technologies in this important field. We also aim at further developing our specialty and make all of our activities more professional.
What is the vision of the EFORT FOUNDATION?
The vision is that EFORT FOUNDATION might become a preferred partner for funding research in the field of musculoskeletal diseases and injuries in Europe, and an organization which is large enough to give substantial support to many major projects. By spreading high-level knowledge about new treatment procedures and techniques EFORT FOUNDATION aims at boosting the clinical standard of orthopaedic and traumatologic care in Europe.
How much does the foundation intend to grow in the near future?
How fast EFORT foundation will grow staff-wise depends on its performance to raise funds. Every other statement would be speculative. We have to start with realistic projects and promotional activities in order to ensure that the money is not used up by disproportionate administration and marketing.
How independent is the foundation of its parent institution EFORT?
There is both a need and wish to be close to EFORT in order to establish certain links between the two organisations. However, both organisations have to be independent of one another. There will be a win-win-situation for both, meaning that increased awareness gained by one organisation will positively influence the awareness and sharpen the profile of the other.
What if you were granted three wishes?
That’s very easy: the chair wishes to deliver as much money as possible to the best people possible… Therefore I would be very glad if EFORT FOUNDATION succeeds in raising money to assign a high number of grants; secondly we hope to receive many good applications which in turn would generate a lot of good results.
