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Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine

06-09-2024 | Telemedicine | Review

Global Health Inequities in Orthopaedic Care: Perspectives Beyond the US

Authors: Emily L. DeMaio, Guido Marra, Linda I. Suleiman, Vehniah K. Tjong

Published in: Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The burden of musculoskeletal disease is increasing globally and disproportionately affecting people in low and middle income countries (LMIC). We sought to review global access to orthopaedic care, burden of trauma, research infrastructure, impact of surgical mission trips, implant availability, and the effect of COVID-19 upon the delivery of orthopaedic care worldwide.

Recent Findings

The majority of people in LMIC do not have access to safe, quality surgical care, and there are few fellowship-trained orthopaedic traumatologists. Road traffic accidents are the leading cause of long bone fractures in LMIC and result in significant morbidity and mortality. Of the orthopaedic literature published globally in the last 10 years, less than 15% had authors from LMIC. There has been growth in surgical mission trips to LMIC, but few organizations have established bidirectional partnerships. Among the challenges to delivering quality musculoskeletal care in LMIC is timely access to quality orthopaedic implants. Implant options in LMIC are more limited and subjected to less rigorous testing and regulation than high income countries (HIC). The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically reduced elective surgeries but saw the increase in telemedicine utilization which has prevailed in both HIC and LMIC.

Summary

Awareness of global inequities in orthopaedic care is growing. Much can be learned through collaborations between orthopaedic surgeons from HIC and LMIC to advance patient care worldwide. There is a need for high quality, accurate data regarding incidence and prevalence of musculoskeletal disease, care utilization/availability, and postoperative outcomes so resources can be allotted to make orthopaedic care more equitable globally.
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Metadata
Title
Global Health Inequities in Orthopaedic Care: Perspectives Beyond the US
Authors
Emily L. DeMaio
Guido Marra
Linda I. Suleiman
Vehniah K. Tjong
Publication date
06-09-2024
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine
Electronic ISSN: 1935-9748
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12178-024-09917-8