Showcasing research

After winning the KSS Orthopaedic Sam Simmonds Conference podium prize back in May this year, I was nominated by my TPDs to represent KSS trainees in the “Best of the Best” category at this year’s British Orthopaedic Association Annual Congress. This took place in Birmingham on 17-20th September 2024 with the theme this year of “Recruit, Sustain, Retain: The T&O Work Force”. The programme for the week was packed with thought provoking and inspiring speakers from across the globe, with educational content available for medical students, trainees and consultants . My presentation fitted nicely into the theme of the congress, titled “Local provision of ionising radiation personal protective equipment for female orthopaedic surgeons”. 

This was a quality improvement project based upon the new BOA short life working group recommendations on what constitutes adequate ionising radiation protection for female orthopaedic surgeons. After demonstrating lack of local provision, with the vast majority of available tabard style gowns providing no coverage of the upper outer quadrant of the breast, the most common location for invasive breast carcinoma in women, we were able to gain funding to purchase 2 new gowns. These gowns were specifically designed to provide high axillary coverage, with an elasticated back to help contour around an individual’s body shape, whilst still maintaining freedom of movement. 

Radiation exposure in orthopaedic theatres appeared to be a “hot topic” of the congress with 2 other presentations and a breakout room dedicated to the subject. I hope my short presentation helped raise awareness to the wider surgical community of the need for adequately fitting radiation gowns, especially for trainees who may rotate through different hospitals for short time periods. Ensuring all members of the surgical team feel safe and adequately protected from occupational exposures should go some way to help sustain and retain our skilled workforce.