title: The current state of orthopaedic residency in 18 European countries.
abstract: The aim of this study was to compare differences in current orthopaedic and trauma training programs across Europe.
  
  
  
  A questionnaire was sent to the FORTE (Federation of Orthopaedic Trainees in Europe) representatives of 25 different European countries, of which 18 responded. The questionnaire included demographic information and information concerning the structure of the training programs, including duration, selection, and mandatory training requirements.
  
  
  
  The number of trainees per specialist varied between countries from a ratio of 1:2 to 1:7. Residency was generally five to six years in all the countries. In more than half of the countries selection was interview-based. Nearly all countries utilized a logbook. About 80% of the participating countries had a final examination. When assessing the components of training it was found that only one country (the United Kingdom) had mandatory minimum requirements for (1) courses, (2) surgical procedures, (3) research and (4) leadership. Nearly 40% of the participating countries had only one or none of these four components as a mandatory training requirement.
  
  
  
  There are many similarities in training programs, but some important differences remain in overall requirements and final qualification. The main limitation of this study was that we were unable to get data from all the European countries. FORTE will continue to serve as a forum for sharing best practices with the ultimate goal of improving and harmonizing the level of orthopaedic training across Europe. Future studies should aim to include further details about training programs as well as to include data from more countries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Sairaalakatu 1, Vantaa PL 900, 00029 HUS, Helsinki, Finland. rami.madanat@hus.fi.
authors.forename: Rami
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Madanat
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Sairaalakatu 1, Vantaa PL 900, 00029 HUS, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Tatu J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Mäkinen
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Great Western Road, Gloucester, UK, GL50 3BW.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedics and Traumatology Department, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, 06320, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gazi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Huri
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, Pennsylvania Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA.
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Paschos
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedics and Traumatology Department, Hospital Beatriz Angelo, Lisbon, Portugal.|Hospital Particular do Algarve, Faro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Joao
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vide
mesh_terms: D003479:Curriculum / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000193:education*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000628:therapy
keywords: Education; Europe; Orthopaedic; Residency; Trauma