International Voices Roundtable: Challenges, Commonalities and Relevance to Global Orthopaedics: Collaboration, Challenges and Commonality between Associations

Description

In this presentation, Brian Bernstein addresses a diverse audience, sharing insights from his experiences as an orthopedic surgeon based in southern Africa. He emphasizes the significance of collaboration within the medical community, particularly among associations, highlighting the challenges and commonalities in global and local contexts. Bernstein outlines his journey through the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on global interactions and stresses the need to utilize a global village mindset to solve common issues.



He discusses the unique positioning of his association, situated between developed and developing healthcare systems, pointing to the disparities faced, particularly in terms of resources and access to care. He talks about challenges relating to cultural and gender diversity, educational barriers due to language differences, and ongoing efforts to promote inclusivity within the orthopedic field.



Specific challenges like national health insurance reforms, political influences, and systemic corruption in the healthcare sector are elaborated upon, stressing the importance of equal access to healthcare for all South Africans while recognizing the complexities involved. Bernstein also shares progress made with initiatives such as the South African Orthopedic Registry, underscoring the importance of data collection and interpretation to enhance relevance within a global context and improve patient care.



The presentation concludes with a call for greater collaboration, knowledge sharing, and addressing funding challenges as Bernstein encourages his colleagues to engage more actively with data management and explore how international partnerships can contribute to better healthcare outcomes.

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