20TH ANNIVERSARY

Editorial: from August 2002

The main theme of our first publication is training. We regard this topic as of the utmost importance both to academic and private orthopaedic surgery in South Africa. I am glad to say that the private sector plays an important role in academic medicine. This fact results in a very healthy situation where these two sectors complement one another.

Registrars in South Africa are privileged to have a wide exposure to the knowledge and experience of a large number of orthopaedic surgeons who are respected for their competence and abilities.

It is good to know that expertise is available in both sectors. By combining the two, our registrars can get the best of two worlds.

Our training theme will be continued in the next issue.

Dr Don Ketteikamp is more than eligible to fulfill the task of Guest Editor of our first edition. As you will see from his excellent contribution, nobody is better qualified to give us his views on training. His vast experience comes a long way and his capabilities as administrator and clinician qualify him as the ideal person to evaluate orthopaedic departments. I have known him for a number of years and have the greatest respect for his honesty, integrity and clear insight.

This journal belongs to every orthopaedic surgeon and registrar in South Africa. Needless to say, without your contributions the journal cannot survive. We are therefore dependent on your input to produce ajournal of which we are proud and I look forward to a good response from you.

I am sure that the contents of this journal will be of a high standard and that accreditation will follow.

Prof RP Gräbe

Editor-in-Chief