Orthopaedics experience at RDPH is wide and varied. The hospital provides services for the whole top end of the Northern Territory providing opportunities for you to be exposed to a wide and varied experience which is unavailable anywhere else in Australia.
There is the opportunity to work in indigenous orthopaedics where access to elective surgery is being pursued in innovative ways. There are often unusual infections presenting with acute and chronic osteomyelitis and septic arthritis as well as a wide variety of late presenting trauma with both malunion and delayed union.
In addition there is a broad selection of elective procedures being performed including spinal surgery, paediatric surgery, joint replacement surgery, sports medicine and reconstructive surgery. There is sufficient trauma and other work to allow excellent experience to be gained.
The orthopaedic department is staffed with consultants, fellow, registrar and RMOs. Positions include one registrar whom is an accredited registrar from the South Australian training scheme.
The RMO positions in the orthopaedics department offer an excellent depth of experience. The doctor will be exposed to standard ward work but will also have ready opportunity to attend clinics to see new patients and to learn the basic management of orthopaedic conditions in the outpatient situation. There will also be opportunity to attending theatre from those with a special interest.
The department is well organised and has an emphasis on appropriate supervision and teaching at all levels.
At registrar level there are regular new patient clinics with consultant supervision and appropriate supervision for all outpatient clinics and operating lists. There is a journal club once a month and regular teaching in both formal and informal settings.
The RMOs are given the opportunity to work in the outpatients where new patients and review patients will be seen and this is at all times supervised by the consultant.
In summary the orthopaedic department at RDPH offers excellent teaching and supervision and prides itself on being a close knit and supportive team.
Education
Formal teaching opportunities include:
- Weekly RDPH grand rounds
- Weekly RDPH division of surgery grand rounds
- Weekly division of surgery journal club
- Weekly radiology meeting
- Monthly orthopaedic journal club meeting
- Regular formal and informal teaching