Cross-disciplinary professionals lecture with focus on specialised patient care

Dubai, February 20th, 2006: In an effort to enhance the communication and coordination of back physicians and specialists in the United Arab Emirates, the Dubai Bone and Joint Center hosted the region's first CME accredited, specialized Back Care Forum.  The Forum, which took place on Thursday, February 16, at the Fairmont Hotel, Dubai, brought together regional and international specialists across the many disciplines of back care.

The forum aimed to address the significant challenges back care professionals face in hospitals and clinics on a daily basis, while trying to meet the demands of a growing, active population. The program was designed in line with the growing trend towards an integrated approach for the diagnosis and treatment of back pain and included lectures on a range of topics from Physiotherapy to Acupuncture.

Commenting on the benefits of a cross-disciplinary conference, Dr. Kwok, Senior Orthopedic Surgeon at Dubai Bone & Joint center said, "As professionals who treat patients with back conditions, it is important to remain informed of key advancements in prevention and treatment options across many different disciplines, to ensure patients receive the correct course of treatment."

The conference brought together speakers and attendees from many related disciplines including general practitioners, osteopaths, orthopaedic surgeons, physiotherapists, chiropractors, and rheumatologists, and included a half hour panel discussion on management of back care.

 "Appropriate referrals between specialists within the community are crucial, and should mean that back pain patients no longer have to worry if they are seeing the right health care professional," explained Mrs. Suzanne Al Houby, CEO, Dubai Bone & Joint Center.  

It is estimated that eight out of every ten people will experience a back or neck problem in their lifetime.  For most people, these problems will become recurrent.  Because patients who experience back pain have numerous entry points and care destinations, it is a tremendous challenge to find the right care destination, at the right time and cost.

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Dubai Bone & Joint Center
Dubai Bone & Joint Center (DBAJ) is a leading Muscular-Skeletal center based on the 50th floor of the Emirates Towers, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. It is the first sub-specialty center in the region to focus on muscular-skeletal conditions and provides Western trained specialists dedicated to specific areas of orthopaedic surgery and treatment. It is also the first hospital to integrate clinical and hospital care with research and education. DBAJ only recruits highly qualified Western-trained specialists dedicated to focused areas of treatment. International affiliations and accredited staff offer the most comprehensive, specialized muscular-skeletal services in the region.

Phase 1 of DBAJ is a specialized outpatient clinic that caters for conditions ranging from, adult and children spinal conditions, pelvic & acetabulum, pelvic & acetabular fracture and reconstructive surgery and rheumatology. It offers total joint arthroplasty; revision total joint arthroplasty and limb lengthening - limb deformity correction and infective non-union surgery, foot deformities, sports medicine, neuromuscular disorders.

Phase 2 of the project is a comprehensive out-patient and in-patient 100-bed hospital with rehabilitation and sports medicine. It will have 8 OR (operating) rooms with computer assisted orthopaedic surgery equipment, 2 minimal invasive/ day procedure OR rooms, units for spine, joint replacement/ reconstructive surgery unit, pediatric orthopaedic, hand and upper extremities, foot and ankle, rehabilitation and physiotherapy, sports medicine, rheumatology. All units will focus on use of innovative therapies. Other components are to cover research labs, educational & training facilities, primary, secondary and tertiary care. The 100-bed hospital will be opened in beginning 2008.

DBAJ is a committed associate of the government's efforts to develop Dubai into a "Center of Medical Excellence" for the region.

For more information, please contact:
Melina Mitri/ Mary Smiddy
ASDA'A - a public relations consultancy
Dubai
UAE
Tel: +9714-3344550
Fax: +9714-3344556
Email: info@asdaa.com

© Press Release 2006