The Difference a Year Can Make

Brendan D. Lewis, M.D, FRCSC
President, Canadian Orthopaedic Association

The past year has gone in the blink of an eye. It was an interesting year beginning with my presidential speech in Toronto, the six-month sabbatical from work, the numerous meetings representing the COA and interaction with our international presidential colleagues.

The COA continues to raise its profile in the eyes of the Canadian public.

Contributions in the field of osteoporosis in collaboration with Osteoporosis Canada will allow better care, identification and treatment of our patients. The COA has made contributions with the Canadian Council of Donations and Transplantation to develop a safe system for tissue transplantation.

We continue to partner with the Canadian Medical Association and the Wait Time Alliance for timely access to orthopaedic care. The recent "Report Card" released in April by the Wait Time Alliance in Ottawa, gave an overall "B" grade for Wait Time Benchmarks and Access in Hip Arthroplasty, and a "C" in Total Knee Replacement. We see some improvement but we're still climbing a significant hill to ensure timely access for our patients. We continue to hammer home that orthopaedics is not just hip and knee arthroplasty surgery, that it includes all musculoskeletal care.

The Bone and Joint Decade continues to develop solutions for wait-time targets, health promotion, osteoporosis, models of care and quality assurance and other areas of orthopaedics including paediatrics. There is also development of an on line MSK core curriculum under the guidance of Dr. Veronica Wadey

We continue to grapple with the doctor/industry relationship issue as it pertains to transparency, accountability, and the "smell" test in the face of the public and our patients.

The National Standards Committee continues to provide valuable evidence-based information about the status of orthopaedics in this country. They are working on the development of models for delivery of better patient care and timely access to consultation and treatment as required. Their work on the physician assistants model has resulted in a pilot project in Ontario that we hope will spread across the country.

In 2000, the COA embarked on a process of self-renewal by updating its strategic plan. As we move forward, we are developing a new plan for the next five years. We distributed a member survey requesting information about the current situation and where we need to progress into the future. Out of 890 e-mails, we received a completion rate of 31.8%. We welcomed all of the comments and will use them as a tool to position ourselves for the future. The Board will discuss the information as we develop our strategic plan building on what was developed in the past.

This year's Annual Meeting in Halifax will be an outstanding scientific and social event. Special recognition and thanks go to Drs. Bill Stanish and Joe Hyndman with their "A" team Local Arrangements Committee who outdid themselves in organization and entertainment for the Friday night Opening Ceremonies and Saturday night Gala. Thanks also go to Drs. Ross K. Leighton and Michael J. Dunbar with their Programme Committee who have produced an excellent scientific programme including ICL's, Symposia and Presentations. Everyone should give them a special thank you' for their tireless work.

This programme would not be possible without the contributions of many hardworking volunteers. I would like to thank all the members of the committees who have worked so diligently to make this a successful Annual Meeting.

We need to also thank our orthopaedic industry associates. Without their support, we would not be able to organize a meeting like this.

Watch for our featured speakers who include Dr. Brian Day - Presidential Speaker, Dr William R.J. Rennie - R.I. Harris lecturer, and Dr. Jim Kellam - Macnab lecturer. You will not be disappointed hearing from these insightful doctors.

Let this meeting be a time to gain more knowledge, renew old friendships and have an enjoyable and relaxing interlude.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our association.

I would like to especially thank Cynthia Vezina and Trinity Wittman for their tireless commitment to the COA and the excellent work that they accomplish. Our CEO Doug Thomson has demonstrated real leadership in moving the COA forward and works very hard to achieve this.

Dolores and I are thrilled to host the meeting in Halifax, June 1-3, and we hope you will be able to attend. This was truly an outstanding year. Please join us in welcoming Dr. Marc Moreau as our new COA President who will host the Combined Meeting with the American Orthopaedic Association in Quebec City June 4-7, 2008.