The infection lectures were delivered by Dr. Keat Choong, Dr Andrej Trampuz and Dr Nora Renz from Brisbane, Australia. The professional topics were delivered by Dr. Des Soares from Brisbane. Rheumatology was taught by Dr. Tracy Kain from Tauranga, New Zealand.
Orthopaedic infection is a major issue in the Pacific with osteomyelitis and septic arthritis causing significant disability. Diagnosis and management of orthopaedic infection including periprosthetic infection and discussion of student case studies was a highlight.
Gout is extremely common and causes major illness in the Pacific. Tracey Kain taught is how to manage gout with confidence and to help patients help themselves. The infection and inflammatory conditions module was also concluded with an end of block written examination.
In the Professional topics we looked at issues like practice evaluation, audit and professional behaviour standards. Highlights included 2 multi-disciplinary workshops including other staff including surgeons, anaesthetists and nurses using modified courses for “Operating with Respect” and “Safer surgical Teams”/ These were enthusiastically received and have already led to significant improvements in communication and teamwork among theatre teams with direct implications for improved patient safety.
