19^th EFORT ANNUAL CONGRESS BARCELONA 2018 MAIN THEME: INNOVATION AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES

New technologies influence our daily lives in every field. The exponential increase in innovations has changed our world, more than ever in the last few decades, including health sciences and medical practice. Not all novelties are innovations. Innovation would bring added value to its users and we should seek this added value for our patients in the new ideas that change our practice. Most of the technologies we are currently using in our daily work were not available until recently. The use of new diagnostic and treatment methods, novel drugs and operative techniques increase our ability to help our patients, while bringing about the need for better education and training.

Ortopaedics and Traumatology surgeons and experts from the global medical technology industry often state that most of the innovative ideas in implant design originate from Europe. Obviously, innovation leads to the delivery of better health care resulting in improvement in people’s quality of life. The rational use of new medical technologies contributes a lot to the healthcare systems in European countries facing  sustainability problems due to demographic and economic challenges.

For these reasons, “Innovation and New Technologies” has been chosen as the main theme of 19th EFORT Congress in Barcelona. The highlights under this overarching theme will include new diagnostic techniques, advances in biomaterials and implant technologies, new tissue regeneration techniques, mini-invasive surgery, robotics & computer-assisted surgery, the use of 3D printing in orthopaedics and traumatology, telemedicine, innovative rehabilitation programmes and patient-specific treatments.

The advances in virtual learning environments will also be addressed in the congress program. While these new technologies are increasing the accuracy of diagnosis and the success of the treatment, mastering the use of complicated devices and techniques brings additional challenges to the users. Increasing use of advanced simulators and virtual learning techniques help the safer and more efficient application of new methods of treatment.

Advocating for a better quality of life and working with European O&T community for the delivery of high-end  musculoskeletal healthcare for European population are the basis of EFORT’s mission. We believe that this year’s theme is very much aligned with our mission, which will bridge important components within the scientific programme. You will also have the chance to see the latest products and innovations  from our industry partners in the exhibition area.

I would like to assure you that we are working on an inspiring programme.  It is my pleasure to invite you to join us for what promises to be an outstanding scientific congress in one of the most beautiful cities of Europe.

Prof. Dr. Önder Aydingöz | EFORT President 2017-2018