2014 - 15 Vocational Training Team - Ecuador Medical Mission
Vocational Training Team 2014-15 Ecuador Medical Mission
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The 2014/15 Vocational Training Team is a Global Grant featuring the medical mission to Ecuador. January 29- February 8, 2015
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63 team members travelled with approximately 110 hockey bags filled with over 2 tonnes of supplies, arriving at the new Quito airport at midnight January 29.
We were able to do 37 hip or knee replacements, including a major hip revision. Some of the
partially dislocated and arthritic hips were a challenge. The Pediatric surgical team was able to complete 16 operations on dislocated hips and club feet. They saw around 110 children in consultation.
This year we focused also on Vocational Training.
Local orthopaedic surgeons joined us in our clinics where difficult cases were discussed The local Surgeons also joined us in the operating rooms .We had an evening meeting with the Cuenca Orthopaedic Society , where Dr. Nelson Greidanus made a presentation on management of peri prosthetic fractures [fractures adjacent or involving a joint replacement]. In addition, challenging cases were discussed. The pediatric team had an Ecuadorean orthopaedic surgeon operating alongside them for the entire week.
Not only was significant teaching provided by the surgeons, but also by the ward nurses, the operating room nurses, and the physiotherapists. For example, one of the nurses reported that a medical intern from Ecuador was on the postoperative ward for a day to help translate. As he helped with discharge teachings, he asked several questions about why we do things the way we do -...a good teaching opportunity.