The inaugural candidates of the AO Spine Global Diploma Exam are currently preparing for part two of the exam, having completed the first-stage multiple-choice question test earlier this year. With a pass rate of 65%, 44 candidates will participate in the second phase. This was originally planned as a face-to-face examination but, due to the international restrictions on travel, will now be offered online using a secure proctored exam platform.
The AO Spine Global Diploma Exam was set in motion by the AO Spine International Chairperson Shanmuganathan Rajasekaran. In many parts of the world, there are no formal spine surgery fellowships or formal accreditation of expertise and knowledge in this field. There was a gap, and Rajasekaran saw a perfect match.
The project leader Bryan Ashman is confident that the accomplishment will benefit surgeons worldwide. With access to a summative examination, experienced spine surgeons anywhere in the world can certify their knowledge to advance their careers.
“Some spine societies have continuous professional development programs with associated formative assessment tools,” Ashman explains, “but the AO Spine Global Diploma Exam is the only summative examination of knowledge and decision-making with respect to treating patients with spinal conditions.”
With access to a summative examination, experienced spine surgeons anywhere in the world can certify their knowledge to advance their careers.
The exam questions were validated by the Exam Committee, representing all five AO Spine geographic regions.
Alpaslan Şenköylü was one of the AO Spine surgeons involved and shares the enthusiasm: “Measuring one’s skills and knowledge is crucial for a surgeon’s further career development—what gets measured gets improved! If a spine surgeon wants to improve, they should be aware of their level as well as their goals.”
The results of the first AO Spine Global Diploma Exam will be available by November and the first diplomas will be awarded at the end of this year.
Applications for the AO Spine 2021 Global Diploma Exam open on Friday, 11 September 2020. For more information visit www.aospine.org/gde or email globalspinediploma@aospine.org
Bryan Ashman currently also leads the AO Spine Global Diploma Training Program initiative, which will kick off next year. The program will benefit recent graduates from orthopedic and neurosurgery who lack formal training opportunities in spine surgery. “They can participate in our online training program to gain the knowledge and the confidence they need to embark on a career in spine surgery,” Ashman says.
AO Spine has emerged as the global leader in spine surgery education and fellowships.
“AO Spine has emerged as the global leader in spine surgery education and fellowships,” Rajasekaran adds. “It is best suited for such a program with its global presence, well-structured education programs, and having some of the best and most popular teachers and mentors across the world in its faculty. This program along with other educational initiatives will place AO Spine in the pole position amongst all international spine societies.”
Rajasekaran recognizes the AO Spine Global Diploma has potential for conferring worldwide credibility to surgeons. Successful exam candidates and training program participants will profit from AO Spine’s prestige and reputation as the leading global academic community in spine. “The AO Spine Global Diploma will be a way in which surgeons can authenticate their training proudly. This will set them apart from their peers and increase their standing amongst patients.”
The AO Spine Global Diploma Training Program will launch with a first phase in India in 2021. Recent graduates in India who have just completed orthopedic or neurosurgery training and are looking to train themselves up by following the AO Spine Curriculum can apply for the new 21-month AO Spine Global Diploma Training Program, starting in February 2021.
For further details and to register your interest, please email: globalspinediploma@aospine.org
