The AO Fellowship

BASIC AIMS

The purpose of the AO Fellowship is to provide additional experience in AO techniques for fully trained orthopaedic and general surgeons interested in trauma. It should make them thoroughly familiar with indications, planning, techniques, and pitfalls of osteosynthesis. This applies to fractures, pseudoarthrosis, osteotomies, arthrodeses, bone tumor resection and combined injuries.

ORGANIZATION

AO Fellowships are offered in AO hospitals in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Spain, Great Britain, Canada and the United States. AO-International has its offices in Davos, Switzerland and coordinates Fellowship applications worldwide.

The duration of a regular AO Fellowship is a minimum of one month and a maximum of three months. The stipend for the fellow is sent in care of the host clinic. With this allowance the fellow must pay for his accommodations and meals. Any remaining stipend is pocket money for the fellow. All travel costs are at the expense of the fellow.

The clinics provide single accommodations only. This allows a quick integration into the daily routine and work in the surgical unit (e.g. scrubbed in assistance for emergency operations) and an optimal professional training during the short period of the fellowship. If other accommodation (e.g. for the family) are requested, the fellow must organize and pay for them himself.

PREREQUISITES

The applicant for an AO Fellowship must fulfill the following criteria:

graduation from a general surgical or an orthopaedic training programme

previous participation in an AO Basic Course

to have previous experience with the AO-instrumentation

avid interest to increase his/her knowledge in treatment of trauma and particular emphasis on AO techniques, concerning internal and external fixation of fractures, non-unions and osteotomies.

APPLICATION FOR AO FELLOWSHIP

To obtain an application or upon completion of the application form (typewritten) the resident is asked to contact Mary Lou Beatrice, SYNTHES (USA), P.O. Box 1766, Paoli, PA 19301-1262 Phone: 610-647-9700 Fax: 610-251-9059.

Please enclose the following documents:

copy of medical school diploma

copy of AO Basic course certificate

two letters of recommendation from his superiors

curriculum vitae

list of publications and/or lectures of the applicant

2 photographs

SPECIAL REMARKS:

If an entry visa is required for the proposed fellowship country this should be sought well in advance. Please state that this is for visiting purposes only and not work. We shall provide an invitation letter to facilitate the visa procedure.

REGULATIONS FOR THE AO FELLOWSHIP

1. Applications must be sent at least 12 months prior to the requested period of the fellowship.

2. The candidate may express his preference for a clinic in the application, but the final decision will be with AO-International, based on the application and the availability of places.

3. In view of the numerous applications which must be coordinated by AO-International exculsively, no direct arrangement can be made between a fellowship applicant and a proposed clinic

4. Confirmation of acceptance must be given within one month once the fellowship has been granted. The arrangement is then considered as a contract. If no response is received within that period, AO-International will be free to assign the place to another candidate.

5. AO-International expects that once a fellowship is accepted, it will be binding. Later wishes for change of dates or places may endanger the entire fellowship. If the fellow cannot fulfill the regulations mentioned herein, the head of the clinic may propose to the President of AO-International a premature termination of stay.

6. Some clinics suggest, as a means of introduction, that the fellow gives a short presentation to the staff. This can be on a subject or topic with which the fellow is familiar or may be actively involved in. We recommend that you contact the clinic to inquire about such a presentation.

7. The scholar should follow the daily routine of the clinic and must be available for emergencies at night and on weekends. Active participation as a scrubbed assistant should be possible.

8. Temporary leave of absence needs approval from the head of the clinic. If, for some reason, the fellow wishes to change the placement or leave prior to completion of the allotted period, permission must be sought from the chief of the clinic and the President of AO-International.

9. The fellowship programme can only maintain its value or improve, if there is feedback from the fellows. Following completion of the placement, a confidential report is requested. This evaluation form should be returned to the President of AO-International with honest comments or criticisms.

10. A confidential report is also received at AO-International from the host clinic. This will be used as a reference for any further communication.

Guidelines and how to obtain an application form for the four types of available AO fellowships are included on this page. These four fellowships are:

The standard AO Fellowship, offered to surgeons who are in their last year of residency or have just completed their residency training.

The John Border Memorial Fellowship has been established by AO North America to honor the memory of Professor John Border, a pioneer in the treatment of the multi-injured patient, a long term member of the worldwide AO organization, and a found of AO North America. This fellowship is available to graduating North American surgical residents who intend to pursue a career in academic trauma surgery.

The Jack McDaniel Memorial AO Fellowship is a special fellowship given to one senior Resident each year. Recipient is selected annually by an AO North America fellowship committee.

The Martin Allgöwer Trauma Fellowship is offered to practicing North American trauma surgeons. One fellow is selected each year, and the fellowship includes all travel and living expenses for up to six months at a European AO Center.

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