Diplomatosis So you want to be an orthopaedic surgeon? Authors: Salah Hammouche Publication date: 13 Aug 2008 "So you want to be an orthopaedic surgeon?" is a new course run by the Royal College of Surgeons of England, as one of the recently launched series of "So you want to be . . . ?" one day courses. It involves multiple interactive lectures presented by well known orthopaedic consultants. The course is designed to familiarise prospective trainees with the history of orthopaedics, its different aspects and subspecialties, and potential developments. It covers the changes in the recruitment process and orthopaedic training, and explores examinations and assessments that the trainee has to complete. The aim is to provide a better understanding of the scope of the subject and the route(s) for pursuing a career in orthopaedics. Who is it for? Junior doctors who have a potential interest in trauma and orthopaedics are encouraged to attend this course. It is aimed at new graduate doctors -- that is, foundation year 1 and foundation year 2. Final year medical students are welcomed as well, (it's never too early to start career planning). How is the course structured and what does it include? The course involves a morning and afternoon session. In the morning, an introductory lecture is presented by the convenor, followed by short lectures about orthopaedics subspecialties, including: Paediatric orthopaedic surgery Hip arthroplasty Foot surgery Knee surgery Spinal surgery Trauma management. The presentations define these subspecialties and explain their main workload. What