The AO Skills Lab has been a core part of the AOT Basic Principles of Fracture Management courses held worldwide for almost 5 years. This very interactive lab with 10 individual stations is still one of the activities most valued by course participants.

 

With the aid of 10 stations, participants learn about the basic principles of fracture fixation through hands-on practice, practical examples, and faculty-guided discussions. Based on feedback from faculty and participants, the Residents Education Taskforce and Skills Lab Experts have introduced several improvements, while keeping the overall concept and number of stations unchanged.

 

The topic of reduction is now shared across two stations to allow more time for this important concept, while parts of the bone healing demonstrations have been incorporated into other stations. Improved bone models and the exchange of all tablets should make the user experience even better.

 

Starting early October, the Skills Lab sets will be updated sequentially, starting with Europe and Southern Africa, Middle East and Northern Africa, followed by Asia Pacific. Course chairpersons and event organizers will be informed over the next few weeks whether their course will be supplied with a new set.

 

The Faculty Support Package for the AO Skills Lab is being updated to reflect the changes made (posters, participant booklet, and faculty guide). It is recommended that Skills Lab Directors and faculty moderating the modified stations study the updated faculty guides.

 

“The Skills Lab is one of the flagship activities of our Basic Principles courses,” says Fred Baumgaertel, Expedition Leader for AOTrauma Curriculum Development and one of the driving forces behind the recent updates.

 

“Over recent years we have collected extensive participant and faculty feedback regarding the Skills Lab. The analysis indicated that improvement to a few stations were needed. The modifications were piloted at the Basic Principles Course last year in Davos and were well received.”

 

“I am convinced the update will make the Skills Lab even more instructive and enjoyable,” says Fred Baumgaertel.

 

For further information and questions regarding the AO Skills Lab update, please contact the Residents Education Taskforce at templates@aotrauma.org.

 

 

​Pictures from development workshop:New ankle model with Pilon fracture to be used with distractorPictures from development workshop:New foot model with calcaneal fracture to be used with external fixatorPictures from development workshop:Updated femur model demonstrating distraction3 - 3<>