Opinion: Role of rural orthopaedic and trauma assistants in orthopaedic and trauma care

Abstract

In recent times it is quite obvious that bone and joint ailments have almost been forgotten about in our primary health care scheme. Yet this is the problem that is most prevalent in our rural/urban communities. The dearth of specialist in this area and the concentration of the few in specialist centres have left the rural areas solely to the hands of “traditional bone setters” (TBS). This unfortunate pattern of health arrangement has left the specialist with the option of receiving more of complicated cases already mismanaged by our “TBS”. This report highlights the problem and proffer suggestions on how to improve the outcome of our rural orthopaedic and trauma practices in line with government policy of primary health care and health for all by the year…….!

Key Words: Rural, orthopaedic care, traditional bonesetters

Annals of African Medicine Vol.3(3) 2004: 150-152