HMC’s Orthopedic Surgery department holds Qatar’s first plaster care and casting course

Hamad Medical Corporation's Orthopedic Surgery Department recently held Qatar’s first Plaster Care and Casting Course, which aims to promote best practice outcomes for patient care by providing educational and practical training that will enable healthcare providers to provide optimal orthopedic care to trauma patients. 

The Orthopedics course focuses on improving the skills of the practitioner in safely applying an appropriate cast or splint in the management of musculoskeletal disorders, injury or immobilization due to other medical conditions. The course was conducted at the Intercontinental Hotel and drew many participants from local health centers, including doctors, nurses, plaster technicians and paramedics. 

Dr. Mohammed Al Ateeq Al Dosari, Head of Orthopedic Surgery under whose guidance the course was organized, said, “More than 100 healthcare professionals attended the course and they were all impressed by the course, which added a lot to their knowledge. We intend to organize this course on a regular basis in the future and invite healthcare professionals from neighboring countries as a part of our continuous medical education program.” 

The course featured guest speakers from Germany and Saudi Arabia as well as speakers from the in-house faculty, and included presentations on splinting and casting techniques, safety in the cast room, preparation of the patient for casting, walking aids and attachments, plaster techniques, and updates on new cast technology. 

The highlight of the event was the two practical sessions where all the participants were given the opportunity to work hands-on with casting techniques for the upper limb as well as plaster techniques for the lower limb. 

Orthopedic care skills are required for all trauma care professionals to provide optimal care and treatment for musculoskeletal injuries, or injuries to the bone, muscles, tendons, ligaments and other connective tissue, suffered by trauma patients. 

Trauma patients are those who have suffered body wounds or shock produced by sudden physical injury, such as those incurred from violence or accidents. The most common cases of trauma in Qatar consist of road traffic accidents and falls, which occur mostly at construction and other worksites.