Rehabilitation from surgery frequently involves regular post-operative visits, which will be difficult when we are required to be in social isolation as a preventative measure against COVID-19.
AOA recognises that delays in elective surgery will have an impact on many patients, and we are providing the most up-to-date and scientifically accurate information for patients to help them manage their conditions until they can have elective surgery done.
AOA recommends that Telehealth consultations can be safely used for any urgent conditions. AOA encourages you to speak to your local orthopaedic practice about how they can assist you in managing your condition. Like many small businesses in Australia, they will be pleased to be of service.
As soon as the COVID-19 pandemic is over, the Government will allow elective operations and clinic appointments to restart as quickly as possible. All hospitals, orthopaedic surgeons, anaesthetists and associated staff will work as hard as possible to ensure that you get the treatment that you need. We will work together to continue the delivery of quality care to our patients.
AOA and subspecialty COVID-19 position statements and advisory documents pack
This document contains the range of position statements and advisory documents in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic issued by the Australian Orthopaedic Association (AOA) and orthopaedic subspecialty societies as at 9 April 2020.
To see all publications about AOA and AOA subspecialty responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, please see our
Advocacy page,
Information is being developed to help patients manage and understand their conditions while they wait for their surgery’s to be rescheduled.
Note: The following are not a substitute for medical advice and should be used with advice from your orthopaedic surgeon and other qualified medical practitioners:
In line with government recommendation and regulations around large gatherings, many AOA scientific meetings have been postponed. Advice regarding many events has been distributed to members via email (available below in the communications section). Up-to-date information can be located on the
Key Events and
Calendar pages of this site.
Should you have queries regarding upcoming events that cannot be answered through these pages, please contact AOA Conference and Events Manager Alison Fallon at
alison.fallon@aoa.org.au
The 2020 selection interviews, originally scheduled for 13 June, have been postponed.
We have not made this decision lightly. We understand the stressful and time-consuming preparation that applicants go through in the lead-up to the selection process, and we will continue to work to support all applicants through these challenging times.
The CV marking and referee-report collection processes will continue as normal.
Further information will be provided to applicants as soon as practicable.
Queries or concerns regarding selection should be directed to
selection@aoa.org.au
We expect that as COVID-19 spreads and the health workforce responds, there may be circumstances where trainees are pulled away from their usual duties. We understand that these are exceptional circumstances and want to assure all traineers that this will be taken into consideration. While it is imperative that standards of competency are maintained, if trainees experience difficulties around access or completion they are encouraged to contact their regional manager with details.
When it comes to the need for completion of certain courses or exams that are not being run, contingencies will be put into place to ensure your training status can be maintained. We will ensure that no trainee will be unfairly penalised as a result of matters outside their control.
Further advice for trainees is available via the
AOA COVID-19 member information hub.
AOA has postponed all hospital training post accreditation visits for up 12 months given the likely significant disruptions to health services. Hospitals expecting an accreditation visit will have received a letter advising them of the postponement. The Accreditation Committee will shortly review these applications, and give consideration to extending accreditation for up to 12 months. Where required to ensure the safety and welfare of AOA Trainees, we will consider alternative approaches to review, such as teleconference and paper-based submissions on a case-by-case basis.