Orthogeriatrics

As the global population ages, the need for improved fragility fracture care grows. The AO Trauma curriculum follows a comprehensive approach addressing challenges of fracture care and orthogeriatric co-management.

Orthogeriatrics education taskforce

The Orthogeriatrics education taskforce is a group of experts who build and continuously improve our educational program. It consists of three international program editors (IPEs).

See a full list of all regional program contributors and past international program editors.

Program description

The orthogeriatrics curriculum provides the framework for participants to learn how the overall care of the fragility fracture patient can be substantially improved. Since the fracture represents only one aspect, orthogeriatric comanagement of the patient from admission to completion of rehabilitation is the optimal approach. The AO Trauma Course—Fracture Care in Older Adults delivers the latest evidence as well as practical details on the comprehensive management of fragility fractures in older adults, with the aim of changing attitudes and improving the care of this patient group. An important focus is placed on small group work and discussions. The course consists of seven modules:

Module 1: preoperative phase
Module 2: operative phase
Module 3: upper extremity
Module 4: lower extremity
Module 5: practical exercises
Module 6: postoperative and rehabilitation phase
Module 7: orthogeriatric comanagement

Event defined in the curriculum

AO Trauma Course—Fracture Care in Older Adults

AO Trauma Course—Operative Fragility Fracture Managment (with anatomical specimen)

Target audiences

Practicing surgeons in orthopedic trauma, orthopedics, and general trauma

Geriatricians and other medicine physicians (eg, internal medicine, anesthesiology)

Residents/trainees (surgical and medical)

Resources

Clinical summary documents

Posters from Orthogers App

Competencies

The education taskforce has identified the following competencies for this area of practice:

Correctly fix fragility fractures as indicated
Adapt treatment in line with aging
Recognize comorbidities and polypharmacy
Prevent, identify, and treat complications
Address secondary prevention (osteoporosis, falls)
Restore function early
Apply the basic science of fixation and bone biology
Initiate and comanage patient care with the healthcare team
Build a system of care for fragility fractures
Seek to restore and preserve functionality, independence, and quality of life

What does competency-based curriculum development mean?

Learn more

Contacts

To address feedback or questions to this education taskforce, email the Curriculum Development Manager Michael Cunningham or the curriculum support team.

Orthogeriatrics