Education

Annual Report 2019

Education Officer's word

Néstor Taboada

Education officer

Dear colleagues,

2019 was a year full of great challenges, changes in the education plan, and adaptation of courses according to the needs of the region. Young surgeons and a large number of experienced surgeons expect to increase the amount of practical training at our events. For this reason, the success of cadaveric courses, practice with simulation models, and live surgeries have a more and more prominent role model over traditional theoretical courses.

This, in turn, entails complex logistics for each of these events and the commitment of our Faculty group, local chapters, and office to ensure each of these courses has the success expected from AO Spine events. Moreover, the growth of online activities, which facilitates the access to members from all the countries in our region, is also in transformation. We are building a curriculum that will enable the sequencing of these activities, which aims to provide a progressive learning procession in the various areas of spinal pathologies.

Our presence at the transcongress seminars of the various societies of the spine, neurosurgery and orthopedics in the region makes a difference with the unique hallmark of the AO teaching model, and we expect to continue to have proximity with these activities. Hospital based seminars have increased exponentially, and this has allowed for our presence in regions of Latin America where holding a seminar is not easy, as well as to reinforce the knowledge in those regions where there is a tradition of AO Spine courses. We have been pioneers in simulation models in our region and are, therefore, at the forefront of cutting-edge teaching worldwide.

We continue to grow in research, and at the end of this year we created the study groups. Through this, we intend to promote the culture of research and publications in our region, which is still a major challenge, even though we are convinced that we will carry the region forward in this regard.

Finally, I would like to inform you that, in 2020, we will be launching a new curriculum regarding cadaveric courses and online education, hoping that our members will take notice of this change, and that it will be very useful for their educational aspirations.

AO Spine is focused on lifelong learning, offering inspiring and innovative educational activities and programs that can help the surgeon at every step of their career development. Based on that, the AO Spine curriculum provides continuous acquisition of the necessary knowledge and skills that will aid their career progression. We combine expert face-to-face educational events with distance learning and self-directed study resources, creating a framework for the best teaching methods and techniques based on skills, learning outcomes, and surgeons’ needs.

Educational activities

We provide over 200 learning opportunities to over 13,000 spine surgeons and spine specialists worldwide. In 2019, we held 78 educational events for 3,560 participants in Latin America. All these events are curriculum-aligned, and their programs were based on the AO Spine principles, competencies and learning outcomes, which strongly enhances the quality of each individual educational offer.

Courses

Training courses help participants build a strong foundation in practical skills in either live-tissue environment, artificial bones, cadavers or simulators. These events are the highlight of our educational calendar, and a major opportunity to master surgery skills. The aim is to equip participants with a practical knowledge base and provide them with tips and tricks for daily practice as well as for complex procedures. The number of participants in each type of course varies from 20 to 50.

Seminars

Events based on lectures, case presentation, moderated discussions and open discussion groups are held in a learning-friendly environment, with educators prepared to lead the discussions. Discussing clinical cases is a way of discussing the most controversial issues with the support of factual evidence. These seminars may also take place during academic societies’ congresses. The number of participants ranges from 40 to 100 per event.

Hospital based activities

Events based on hospitals or clinics are an excellent choice in terms of time efficiency, convenience and educational value. These events may consist in two-day, hands-on courses with simulators, live surgery or live tissue; or half-day case study seminars on a specific pathology. The participant count varies from 20 to 40 per event.

Online activities

Webinars are a fantastic opportunity to capitalize on the presence of world-renowned spine experts and discuss trending topics. Some of our face-to-face courses and seminars follow a blended-learning structure, with preliminary and follow-up online activities. During all live events, participants can interact with the Faculty in real-time. Webinars can easily be accessed from the comfort of home. These webinars are a member privilege and are available via individual internet access or in auditoriums.
In 2019, we launched a new webinar format: “Meet the expert”; a 90-minute online seminar with the participation of an expert on the topic discussed and a moderator to lead the debate. The number of vacancies is very limited so that all participants have a chance to interact throughout the event. The pilot webinar took place on December 16, 2019.

Regional Courses

Regional courses bring together spine surgeons from different Latin American countries to share their experiences and skills with a select group of international and local Faculty members through clinical case studies, lectures, and discussions. This kind of event is the best opportunity to update knowledge, share experiences and interact with world-class opinion leaders in spine surgery. The fourth edition took place in Santiago, Chile, from June 6 to 8, 2019.

Bogota 2016

0
Participants
0
Faculty

Mexico City 2017

0
Participants
0
Faculty

Sao Paulo 2018

0
Participants
0
Faculty

Santiago 2019

0
Participants
0
Faculty

Global Spine Congress

AO Spine’s annual meeting is the chance for participants to enjoy four full days of an outstanding scientific program, exchange knowledge, showcase the very latest research, innovative techniques and cutting-edge technologies in spine surgery to a worldwide audience.

San Francisco

2009

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Participants
0
Abstracts

Barcelona

2011

0
Participants
0
Abstracts

Hong Kong

2013

0
Participants
0
Abstracts

Buenos Aires

2015

0
Participants
0
Abstracts

Dubai

2016

0
Participants
0
Abstracts

Milan

2017

0
Participants
0
Abstracts

Singapore

2018

0
Participants
0
Abstracts

Toronto

2019

0
Participants
0
Abstracts

GSC Toronto 2019

Educational Programs

Continuing Education Program (CEP)

It is an educational program exclusively for AO Spine members. This solid and complete post-graduate program is based on the AO Spine Curriculum and is organized into two progressive levels of blended learning. The program is accredited by the Brazilian National Accreditation Commission and certified by University of Caxias do Sul (UCS) as a post-graduate course. The program has 40 graduated participants since it began. In 2019, 15 participants completed the program. For 2020, new study topics and subtopics will be available for the participants.

Faculty Development

The Faculty Development is an AO Foundation project to strengthen faculty education. It was developed with the most modern and useful tools so our Faculty can perform their activities successfully at our events. The program equips new Faculty members with the skills required to give a lecture, facilitate a small group discussion, or run a practical exercise at an AO educational event. We already have over 300 AO Spine Trained Faculty in Latin America. The program includes the following trainings:

The program includes the following trainings:

FEP

Faculty Education Program

The AO Faculty Education Program (FEP) is designed to train AO faculty by improving their educational skills, knowledge, and expertise. In order to achieve this, we give participants the opportunity to explore a variety of teaching methods. This program concentrates on practical skills rather than on theory. 

CEP

Chairperson Education Program

The CEP is targeted at experienced faculty members who have an upcoming chairperson assignment and already completed the FEP. Upon program completion, participants can apply the key principles of curriculum design and management. They will base their instructional design on problem identification, needs assessment of target learners, learning objectives, educational methods, evaluation and feedback. Having learned educational principles and best practices, participants are well placed to succeed as chairpersons of AO educational events. 

LEP

Leadership Education Program

The goal of the program is to teach important leadership skills to highly experienced faculty members and chairpersons who get elected into important governance or education roles. 

RETT

REGIONAL EDUCATION TEAMS TRAINING

It is offered as an optional module for the Leadership Education Program aimed at specific regional education team members. 

Educator of the year

This award distinguishes a long standing and highly respected member of the AO Spine community who has demonstrated sustained and significant contribution to educational excellence. The Review Committee is formed by the current AO Spine Education Commission Chairperson, the Chairperson Elect, and the previous year’s winner. The committee scores the nominees on their contribution to AO Spine education and their passion for surgeon education as well as for their ambassadorial role within the community.

In the last six years, Latin Americans have been chosen five times for the AO Spine International Educator of the Year Award. As well as internationally, the AO Spine Regional Educator of the Year Award chooses the best regional educators whom are honored by AO Spine for their leadership in educating surgeons.

The 2018 winners were:

Emiliano Vialle

International Educator of the Year

Fernando Alvarado

Regional Educator of the Year