International Physician Group Launches New Educational Initiative
Effort will increase educational programs worldwide
Dr. Barry Tietjens, well-known Orthopaedic surgeon to the All Blacks, last night announced a major international
educational initiative at the largest specialist orthopaedic conference ever held in New Zealand. The initiative; Global
Connection: Expanding International Education will greatly increase educational opportunities for members and
specialists around the world. It was launched to over 1,100 delegates from 56 countries at the biennial congress of The
International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine (ISAKOS) at Auckland's Aotea Centre.
Dr. Barry Tietjens is ISAKOS' past president and the Global Connection campaign co-chairman.
He says; "The Global Connection campaign will allow ISAKOS to sponsor hands-on workshops, broadcast live surgical
procedures worldwide, and offer other exciting new educational programs. Patients around the world will benefit as their
physicians learn more about advanced technologies and new patient care products."
New Zealand's incidence of serious knee injuries is high. Last year over 13,500 claims were made to ACC for serious knee
injuries. The cost of these was over $51million NZD. In addition, 4,000 cases from the previous financial year take the
total cost in 2002 of serious knee claims to $88million NZD. (Source: ACC Injury Statistics, 2003)
The international campaign, which will culminate at the group's fifth biennial congress in 2005, has supporters
including; Smith & Nephew, Endoscopy Division; Stryker Corporation; Aircast Inc.; Arthrex, Inc.; Biomet/Arthrotek; Zimmer; Centerpulse;
Mitek Worldwide; dj Orthopedics and ArthroCare. ISAKOS will seek the support of additional corporate partners and other
organisations, both in New Zealand and internationally in the next two years.
"We are grateful for the generous support of our partners," said Tietjens. "Increasing the international exchange of
information in our specialties will greatly improve medical care around the world."
The International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine is an international organisation
of surgeons established to promote the worldwide exchange and dissemination of education and research in arthroscopy,
knee surgery and orthopaedic sports medicine. With 1,600 members from 70 countries, ISAKOS brings together leading
orthopaedic surgeons from all regions of the world.
Media attendance at the conference is able to be arranged, and host Dr. Barry Tietjens can be available for interviews.