Title:
The Slovenian Orthopedic Society within the Slovenian Medical
Association
Short Form:
ZO SZD (SOS SMA)
Short history: The Slovenian Medical Association
was founded in 1861 but the first orthopedic surgeon, dr. Ninarš
became active in 1922. Till 1937 he was the only orthopedic surgeon
practicing in the Slovenian region. The second was dr. Brecelj who also
established the Orthopedic and Traumatology Section under the
auspices of the Slovenian Medical Association in 1946. After gaining
independence the Section developed into the Slovenian Orthopedic
Society (SOS).
Associates: The Slovenian Orthopedic Society
welcomes orthopedic consultants, residents, and medical students
interested in musculo-skeletal conditions in their last year of
training.
Mission: The Slovenian Orthopedic Society’s
mission is based on the fact that orthopedics keeps people active,
no matter their age. In treating patients with musculoskeletal
disorders orthopedic surgeons enforce joint efforts together with
partner specialists within the health care system. The SOS
encourages provision of the highest scientific level orthopedic
care ranging from consultancy to surgery as well as compassion. The
SOS encourages its members to engage in scientific research and
implement innovation to be able to absorb increasing demand
for orthopedic care. The SMS is aware that only by developing a top
quality system and by raising the profile of SMS the mission is
achievable.
The contemporary Slovenian orthopedics: SOS
acknowledges that many goals have already been achieved. Scientific
and professional expertise is mainly available as well as quality
training and acceptable level of organization. Orthopedic surgeons
have a very positive work attitude.
There are weaknesses as well including limited knowledge of basic
medicine, insufficient focus on basic science in orthopedics, the lack
of a quality control system, and a low level of scientific output.
In order to accomplish the mission the SOS activities are intended
to act along three lines to achieve main goals:
Goals:
1. The SOS aims for Slovenian orthopedic surgeons to provide high
level, evidence-based, measurable, and cost effective medical care.
2. In order to provide the top level of orthopedic care, the SOS is
encouraging the implementation of a high level quality system for
surgeons as well as for patients.
3. To improve the strength of the SOS and grounding of orthopedics
in the society in order to be able to keep pace with an expected
increased demand of keeping the ageing population in motion and
thus insuring their independence.
Threats: The threats that might negatively influence the mission are the influence of parties like insurers and industry that undermine a physician’s autonomy. Limited manpower and cuts in healthcare spending that are in contrast with the increased demand for orthopedic care. Increasing compensation culture is fostering a defensive orthopedic surgical treatment.
