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).

Joseph Nicholas (US)

Term: 2020–2025

Hitendra K Doshi (SG)

Term: 2021–2023

Carlos Maria Olarte Salazar (CO)

Term: 2022—2024

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 for faculty

Already a faculty member? Explore resources supporting your teaching activities.

Resources

Orthogers Mobile App

Discover this educational tool for health-care professionals managing older adults with fragility fractures.

Courses and webinars

Explore our database and search for events on specific topics.

Members only

Journal

Geriatric Orthopaedic Surgery & Rehabilitation Journal (GOS).

Members only

AO Videos

Access hundreds of videos and look for your area of interest.

Books

NEW: Osteoporotic Fracture Care—Medical and Surgical Management

Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis—Second Expanded Edition (Chapter 24 Fragility Fractures) Periprosthetic Fracture Management (Chapter 3, section 3.1: Causes of and risk factors for periprosthetic fractures: Age)


Resources for faculty

Already a faculty member? Explore resources supporting your teaching activities.

Competencies

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

  1. Correctly fix fragility fractures as indicated
  2. Adapt treatment in line with aging
  3. Recognize comorbidities and polypharmacy
  4. Prevent, identify, and treat complications
  5. Address secondary prevention (osteoporosis, falls)
  6. Restore function early
  7. Apply the basic science of fixation and bone biology
  8. Initiate and comanage patient care with the healthcare team
  9. Build a system of care for fragility fractures
  10. 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.