- Through a chair, both institutions will promote initiatives to enhance the training of orthopaedic surgeons and improve the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders.
- The event was supported by the British Chamber, with the presence of our Vice President for Catalonia, Daniel Tovar, among others.
The University of Barcelona and Smith+Nephew, a global medical technology company, have joined forces to promote knowledge generation and training through the UB-Smith+Nephew Chair on Arthroscopy and Joint Surgery. The Chair, which was launched today in the Aula Magna of the UB’s Historic Building, aims to enhance the practical and professional training of orthopaedic surgeons and improve the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders.
Given the technical and technological advances in arthroscopic and joint surgery in recent years, it is particularly important to provide healthcare professionals with training programmes that enable them to acquire surgical skills, with a strong focus on patient safety. To this end, one of the Chair’s main initiatives will be the organization of hands-on courses for both medical staff and operating theatre staff, including nurses and technical staff. The training, which will be provided free of charge, aims to enhance healthcare professionals’ practical knowledge, support the acquisition of new techniques, and thereby contribute to excellence in clinical practice and improved patient outcomes. In addition, the Chair will conduct research studies using cadaveric specimens to demonstrate the safety and reproducibility of advanced surgical techniques. Once validated, these techniques may be implemented in clinical practice.
The Chair’s director, Miquel Dalmau-Pastor, associate professor of Anatomy and Human Embryology at the Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, states: “This Chair was established with the aim of connecting anatomical knowledge, which is essential in minimally invasive surgery, with practical surgical training and applied research. At the UB, we seek to contribute to the training of professionals involved in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, with a clear objective: to enhance the safety of surgical procedures and improve patient outcomes.”
The rector of the UB, Joan Guàrdia, noted that “the fastest way to advance is to join forces with leading institutions”. “As a university, our goal is always to provide value and solutions that improve society’s well-being, and through this Chair we are doing so in the field of arthroscopic surgery,” he said.
On behalf of Smith+Nephew, Antonio Gaznares, Spain and Portugal market lead and vice-president for Sports Medicine in Southern Europe, said: “This collaboration reflects Smith+Nephew Spain’s global approach, which combines education and technology to help healthcare professionals adopt new techniques in a reliable and safe manner.”
During the presentation of the new chair of Smith+Nephew They were present supporting this initiative Daniel Tovar, vice-president for Catalonia of the British Chamber of Commerce in Spain, Lloyd Milen, British Consul General in Catalonia, among other personalities.
Main actions
In addition to developing training programmes, the Chair will also promote pilot studies on surgical techniques and projects focusing on clinical outcomes, patient safety and quality in arthroscopic procedures. It will also establish two awards for the best final project in arthroscopy and joint surgery.
