Preceptorships
One of the most popular and well-utilized programs available through AO North America is the Visiting Professor Preceptorship program. Thirty-seven AO visiting professorships were supported by AO North America in 1998, allowing that number of North American hospitals to "Invite an AO expert" to visit, lecture, participate in Grand Rounds, and interact with Residents. AO Visiting Professors from Europe and Latin America, as well as the United States, participated in this program. Guidelines and Applications for available preceptorships may be found in your AO North America User's Manual or by calling the AO North America office. These programs are summarized below:
1. AO North America Visiting Professorship Program (Invite an AO Expert)
This program, which has been very popular since its inception, provides the financial capability for a hospital to invite one of the senior AO Faculty members (orthopaedic trauma/spine/maxillofacial or veterinary) as a Visiting Professor. The format for the Visiting Professorship can be any length of time using any format of training, such as lectures, workshops, x-ray conferences or a combination of these. Foreign AO faculty may also be invited. Once approved, AO North America will reimburse the Visiting Professor for his travel and hotel expenses as well as a small honorarium.
2. AO North America Basic Fracture Management Preceptorship
This preceptorship is intended to provide a senior-level Resident with an in-depth period of training in the basic management of fractures, at a recognized AO North America center, or with a surgeon member of AO North America. This will provide the resident with a one-on-one relationship with a practicing AO traumatologist, so that the individual will gain a deeper insight into the management of fractures. This preceptorship is not meant to replace a Trauma fellowship, but rather to provide the individual with a more in-depth study so that he/she may better practice care. Available to PGY-4 or -5 residents; each preceptorship will be funded up to $3,000 to support this training experience.
3. AO North America Trauma and Fracture Care Traveling Preceptorships
This preceptorship was created for the practicing physician to improve or refine his/her skills at an AO Center, under the guidance of an AONA member. This preceptorship should involve a minimum of 4 weeks training in an AO Center, with up to $5,000 funding available to support living expenses, etc. for each preceptorship.
4. AONA Resident Research Project Support Program
Realizing how difficult it can be for surgical residents to gain approval and funding for small research projects, AO North America provides a Resident Research Project Support program. This program will fund (up to $5,000) worthwhile research projects initiated by residents in the orthopaedic, maxillofacial, spine and veterinary specialties. Guidelines and application forms for this program are available through the AO North America office.