Author: des_soares

The National University of Samoa graduation ceremony was held on 31 March 2023 in Apia. Two PIOA graduates Dr Areta Samuelu from Samoa nd Dr Pita Sovaonivalu from Fiji were awarded the Master of Surgery (Orthopaedics). It was a privilege for students attending the PIOA module in Samoa to be able to join in and observe the graduation ceremony. Dr Shaun Mauiliu, PIOA President and Dr Des Soares, Deputy Director of Training were also able to participate in the academic procession. PIOA is very grateful to Dr Rossana Pifeleti, Dean of the NUS School of Medicine for including us in the ceremony.

I am writing to express my utmost gratitude for the PIOA Paediatric Orthopaedics Module that I was a privileged to attend from the 13th to 18th of March 2023 in Apia, Samoa.

There were quite a number of new concepts taught that opened my eyes to how I should manage paediatric bone cases and I am greatly impressed and challenged to think beyond what I am used to seeing and practising in my country Papua New Guinea.

I am so pleased to learn that there is something we can offer to most of our patients whom we think nothing else can be done for. The most impressing concepts for me were:

– the cerebral palsy Gross Motor Function Classification System (GFMCS) that we can use to assess how as Orthopaedic surgeons, we can assist these children have a better quality of life when they grow up and become adults. It was interesting to see that they too can continue to be part of the productive work-force even if they’re GFMCS III. We surgeons play a role in helping the physicians manage cerebral palsy cases.

– the Osteomyelitis management emphasis on early diagnosis and drainage to save bone and reduce the unwise use of multiple antibiotics for long term therapy in osteomyelitis. This is so useful as I see a lot of these cases in my out-patient clinics and managing them is not always straight-forward.

– the calculation of LLD and the orthopaedic management options available for the children with LLD, how we can help save their limbs and prevent other skeletal deformities. This will lead to a better quality of life in the future and give them hope to find work and contribute to the country’s economic growth.

– the guided growth-plate arrest concept is also very useful and doable now that we have II in Port Moresby for those children with deformities from Blount Disease or Rickets condition.

– DDH screening is important early on and follow-up very useful so we can intervene early as surgeons and prevent major complications for the affected child’s development.

I look forward to more zoom classes and modules with PIOA that will help me expand my knowledge and skills in Orthopaedics so I can do better for my people around Papua New Guinea and the Pacific.

Editors note: PIOA is grateful to the Pacific Community and AO Alliance Foundation for their generous funding for this program.

The PIOA AGM 2023 was held online on Sunday 26 February 2023 commencing at 4pm AEST(Brisbane time).

Here are the papers from the meeting;

Agenda

Draft Minutes of the AGM (to be ratified at next AGM in Feb 2024)

President’s report

Director of Training report

PIOA Trainee report – Raymond Saulep

Treasurer report – the Treasurer presented the Summary accounts and the Financial statement for PIOA Queensland Inc listed below.

Summary accounts (for all bank acounts)

Financial statements for PIOA Queensland Inc

Detailed Income and expenses for PIOA Queensland Inc.

The next PIOA module will be held at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole (TTM) Hospital in Apia, Samoa from 13 March to 1 April 2023. The topics covered will include Paediatric orthopaedics (13-18 March), Tumour (20-24 March), and Infection, Inflammation and Professional topics (25 March to 1 April).

We will have students from Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Cook Islands, Samoa and American Samoa at the module. The module is sponsored by AO Alliance Foundation and the Pacific Community (SPC).

We will also celebrate the graduation ceremony from the National University of Samoa of our recent graduates Dr Areta Samuelu and Dr Pita Sovanivalu.

In his own words:

I’m currently working as acting Chief Medical officer in orthopaedics at Labasa Hospital (only divisional hospital in northern fiji serving a population of 150000).

Thanks to PIOA for what it has done for me in regards to :

Improve my theoretical orthopedic knowledge.

Taught me the importance of taking a proper history and examination.

Improve my surgical skills .

Continuous CME every Sunday.

Arranging individual mentoring with senior orthopaedic doctors from Australia/ NZ.

Provide a platform for discussion of cases and treatment plan.

Arranging for visitation of orthopedic team to our respective hospital to come and help in attending complex cases.

I hope and pray that PIOA will continue to do orthopaedic training in the Pacific.

Juvencio Dias (Timor Leste)

During 2 weeks Module in Suva I have learnt a lot about Hip and Spine. The Module is very practical and made it easy to understand how to performed surgery from different surgical approaches to Hip and Spine.

I also was able to see different cases in the ward, and was guided by Senior Orthopaedic consultants and best lecturers from Australia and New Zealand. I’m Very Happy to attend this Module in Suva and my Gratitude  to PIOA and to CMWH (staff and Patients) as well.

Vinaka

Agnes Auto (Solomon Islands)

This learning experience has added value to my contribution in reducing Disability Advanced Life Years (DALY) in the Solomon Islands.

I feel more confident with the knowledge and skills learned, and am challenging myself to put these into practice the once I return home, to work with my Senior Colleagues .

I am thankful for the opportunity to grow with PIOA and grateful to the SPC for their support and enabling me to attend.

Tagio Tumas

Agnes

Clay Siosi (Solomon Islands)

Spine – the learning I acquired through this training has broadened my understanding and management of spine pathologies or problems I see in my home country. It provide focused approach in identifying and managing my patients.

Hip – wealth of knowledge from the members of faculty. I learned about hip and pelvic trauma management. Their experience and expertise knowledge has opened up another level of understanding…

Best regards 

Clay

Deacon Teapa (Cook Islands)

I would to say thank you to PIOA and SPC for giving this valuable opportunity for being part of this organization. Coming back from nearly 12 years of academic hiatus I find the last 2 weeks on the PIOA modules has been fulfilling and enriching to my personal professional development. The course has provided me an opportunity to reinforce my knowledge and past experience, learn new things and especially

operative skills sets from some of the best orthopaedic surgeons in Australasia. I look forward towards the next modules in the coming months and years.

ATAWAI WOLO (Thank you very much)

In other developments for PIOA, we had a long-awaited meeting with FNU and major stakeholders in the Surgical & Orthopaedic department to address the urgent need to develop orthopedic care in Fiji. This meeting also helped address a lot of issues regarding training and it was a milestone for both PIOA and FNU. The future looks bright and looking forward to building quality orthopedic care in the Pacific, so watch this space.

The highlight of the module was the exit examination which was made up of 7 sections. There were 2 written papers, 2 clinical vivas where candidates had to examine patients and formulate a diagnosis and management plan.  There were 3 computer vivas (2 in operative surgery and 1 on investigation and diagnostic imaging).

Dr Richard Lander from Palmerston North New Zealand was the chief Examiner, and Dr John North from Brisbane Australia was his assistant. Two of our graduates Dr Stephen Kodovaru from Solomon Islands & Dr Tu’uau Shaun Mauiliu from Samoa, were invited as co-examiners during the weeklong examination process as part of succession planning for PIOA.

Dr Areta Samuelu & Dr Pita Sovanivalu successfully completed the final exam and will be eligible to graduate with a Master of Surgery (Orthopedics) from the National University of Samoa in Apia in April 2023.

The lectures for the hip modules were delivered by Dr Vaughan Poutawera & Dr Andrew Vane from Tauranga New Zealand, Dr Kaushik Hazratwalla from Townsville & Dr Des Soares from Brisbane Australia.

In this module, the students were taught a systematic approach to diagnosis and management of traumatic and degenerative conditions affecting the hip. This included clinical history taking and a thorough clinical examination with emphasis on a systematic approach to the management of osteomyelitis, septic arthritis and degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis. In addition, there were focussed lectures and practicals on the management of trauma affecting the pelvis, acetabulum and femur.

During the afternoon practical sessions, each student was given opportunity to deal with different conditions affecting the hip from the femur, hip joint and acetabulum. This was a very useful exercise to help them recognise and learn the up-to-date management of hip condition. One of the popular sessions was teaching cementing techniques to the trainees and this gave them options in dealing with difficult and complex cases.

In the mornings ward rounds were continued as usual, making the students more confident in their orthopaedic history taking and examination. The module was also concluded with an end of block written examination.

The lectures for the Spine modules were delivered by Dr David Bartle from Tauranga New Zealand, Dr Ian Cheung & Dr Des Soares from Brisbane & Dr Michelle Atkinson from Sydney, Australia, and Dr James Tewa’ani from Solomon Islands.

In the Spine module students were taught a systematic approach to history taking, clinical examination and investigation with a focus on common spine orthopedic conditions. The practical sessions were aimed at common spine management options including cervical & lumbar spondylosis and stabilisation and internal fixation of spine trauma. Small group workshops focused on using Gardner Wells tongs/ halo traction using a model.

A novel condom model was used to practice dural repair. Sawbones were used to demonstarte pedicle scre placement and laminectomy / spinal decompression. Other practical sessions looked at rehabilitation for spinal patients and other malignancies that affect the spine.

Each morning we commenced with a ward round seeing two patients and getting the students to present the history and clinical signs of the patients. Their management was then discussed and suggestions for improvement were made. This was a useful exercise as we were able to improve clinical skills. It was also helpful to try and elucidate clinical reasoning and decision making and help with developing these skills. The students enjoyed having expert advice on the management of elective conditions and trauma affecting the spine.

At the end of the module the students’ knowledge was tested with a written paper examination.