AIOD Canada:
Setting a New Standard for
Research and Education

Mohit Bhandari M.D., MSc, FRCSC
Hamilton, ON

Dave Sanders M.D., FRCSC
London, ON

Pierre Guy M.D., MBA. FRCSC
Vancouver, BC

Emil H. Schemitsch M.D., FRCSC
Toronto, ON

For the Association Internationale pour l’ Ostéosynthèse Dynamique (AIOD) Canada

What is the Association Internationale pour l’Ostéosynthèse Dynamique (AIOD)?
AIOD was founded in 1986 in Strasbourg, France. Its founding principles focused upon research and science-based methods for dynamic osteosynthesis and closed treatment techniques for bone fracture management. As a global professional association of orthopaedic trauma surgeons, AIOD continues to deliver programmes for training and education; the publication of scientific journals and peer-reviewed papers; the sponsorship of clinical and technical studies; and the funding of research projects. The Association’s web site, www.traumacareinstitute.org, provides an overview of activities, fellowships and research funding opportunities.

AIOD has several national chapters since its inception including Australia, China, Germany, France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, and Japan. The United States chapter, called the Foundation of Trauma, has recently founded a national chapter. The most recent of the chapters is Canada, named AIOD Canada.

The founding mission of AIOD continues to be the “advancement of best clinical practices in orthopaedic trauma care through research, education and publication”. Last year, the AIOD re-organized its structure to include an Education Committee, Publications Committee, Clinical and Technical Committee and Research Committee (Table 1). The inaugural meeting of the AIOD, in its new organizational structure, occurred in June 2005 at the newly opened Trauma Care Institute. Based in Nice, France the Trauma Care Institute is the organizational base for administration, education and research activities worldwide.

Table 1: AIOD Committees and Missions

• Education Committee
  To develop learning materials and education programmes based on sound science, evidence-based medicine and best practices to stimulate professional development within the orthopaedic trauma community.
  
• Publications Committee
  To promote the spread of scientific and clinical knowledge of orthopaedic trauma through publications in Journals, Textbooks, Newsletters and web-based learning.
  
• Clinical and Technical Committee
  To initiate and develop innovative solutions related to implant, instrumentation and surgical techniques for orthopaedic trauma supported by clinical data.
  
• Research Committee
  To enhance scientific knowledge leading to improvements in orthopaedic trauma care using basic, applied and clinical research principles of evidence-based medicine..
  

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What is the Structure of AIOD Canada?
AIOD Canada is currently structured to focus its activities on research and education. The organization in its inaugural year offers research grant funding for orthopaedic surgeons (four grants at $10,000 each) and two special resident research grants ($5,000 per grant) (Table 2).

Educational initiatives focus upon the development of practical surgical techniques courses. These include a recently developed comprehensive cadaveric course for fractures around the knee. The first course, November 25^th, 2005 in Toronto educated surgeons with hands on tips for intramedullary nailing and locked plating techniques for proximal tibial and distal femoral fractures. This first course was chaired by Drs. Emil Schemitsch and Mohit Bhandari, with guest faculty, Drs. David Sanders, Pierre Guy, Jeff Yach and Brad Petrisor. This AIOD-based course will be offered at other sites across Canada each year. Several technique videos have been developed for this course to serve as educational resources for Canadian surgeons.

This year we aim to develop to a comprehensive hip fracture course with new technique videos and cadaveric dissections and surgical techniques for femoral neck fracture fixation, intertrochanteric fracture fixation and subtrochanteric fracture fixation.

What Will AIOD Canada offer Canadian Orthopaedic Surgeons in 2006?
This year promises to be a highly productive and exciting one. With $50,000 in research grant funding available, AIOD aims to support innovative clinical and basic scientific research. Our second “fractures around the knee course” and first “comprehensive hip fracture course” are the only such courses of their kind in Canada. AIOD represents a culture of “collaboration”, and “inclusion” and welcomes members this year.

Setting New Benchmarks for Research and Education
AIOD Canada formation serves to offer surgeons, trainees and allied health care professionals a new alternative for research funding and education. The “hands on” cadaveric course format for trauma is unparalleled in Canada. We have purposely moved away from the traditional large lecture room formats and sawbone workshops in favour of smaller course sizes, higher instructor to attendee ratios, and practical hands on cadaveric surgical skills labs.

We also aim to focus new innovative initiatives at orthopaedic surgical trainees through webcast formats, small group learning and resident research grants.

Summary
On behalf of the newly formed AIOD Canadian Chapter, we look forward to a promising year. Ultimately, through dedication and hard work, the true benefits of this organization will be evident for Canadian surgeons. We look forward to expanding our Canadian supportive network to offer even greater opportunities for the future.