Joint and Functional Examinations in the Orthopaedic and Traumatological Video Consultation - What is Currently Possible? / Orthopädisch-unfallchirurgische Funktionsuntersuchung in der Online-Videosprechstunde ­ was ist heute möglich?

BACKGROUND: In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, video consultations have gained importance in orthopaedic and traumatological departments. In current literature, different adaptations of classic joint and functional examinations have been described for the virtual examination. METHODOLOGY: A systematic review of current literature on adaptations for the virtual joint and functional examination in orthopaedics and trauma surgery was performed over PubMed (January 2010 to April 2021). The identified examination methods were then summarised systematically according to body region and pathology. Each examination was then described in detail and depicted in an exemplary picture. RESULTS: In total 17 articles were identified and included in the analysis. Most of the examinations employed classical examination methods which were adapted so that they could be performed by the patient independently. Everyday items were described as supporting tools. In five publications, orthopaedic examinations performed in video consultations were compared to the classical examination. Results of functional examinations showed less agreement with results of classical orthopaedic examinations when compared to inspection and ROM-testing. CONCLUSION: Current literature offers a substantial repertoire of examination options that can be used in the orthopaedic and traumatological video consultation. The reported examinations are mostly oriented to classical orthopaedic examinations. In future digital examinations have to be validated and possibly further adapted in future.

[E-learning via webinars in orthopedics and trauma surgery : Increase in supply and demand during the COVID-19 pandemic]. / E-Learning per Webinar in der Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie : Intensiviertes Angebot und gesteigerte Nachfrage in der COVID-19-Pandemie.

BACKGROUND: Contact teaching was prohibited by nationwide lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. The scientific literature contains no concrete figures concerning e­learning via webinars in the subject of orthopedics and trauma surgery in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVE: This research study was established to collect facts and figures about webinars as a representative part of e­learning in the subject of orthopedics and trauma surgery in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: German-speaking non-commercial and edited webinars, produced by suppliers from Germany were identified using common search engines. Structured interviews with questionnaires about provider, format, and number of participants in the webinars over time, were offered to the operating companies. RESULTS: The study included four suppliers of webinars (AO Online Campus, BVOU Study Club, OU TO GO and WebDGU). There was approval of all operating companies to participate in the interviews and to disclose facts and figures about their webinars. All suppliers showed an increased supply and demand for webinars during the COVID-19 pandemic. DISCUSSION: OU TO GO and BVOU Study Club already offered webinars prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. AO online Campus was designed in addition to the existing portfolio. The supply of WebDGU was newly established. Limitations of this study are the exclusion of commercial suppliers, non-German operating companies and all other types of e­learning except webinars. The increased supply and demand for webinars during the COVID-19 pandemic gives hope for further improvement of e­learning in the subject of orthopedics and trauma surgery.