Technology

Good organisation of medical records, whether electronic or handwritten, is essential for effective provision of services in orthopaedics and trauma. Surgeons are responsible for maintaining accurate, comprehensive, legible and contemporaneous records are maintained after all interactions with patients. 

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly influencing trauma and orthopaedics, with potential to transform diagnosis, surgical planning, clinical decision-making, training and patient pathways. While AI offers opportunities to improve efficiency and outcomes, its adoption must be guided by robust evidence, clinical expertise, patient safety and ethical considerations.

The utilisation of robotic-assisted surgery in trauma and orthopaedics is growing across the UK with multiple centres putting forward business cases to develop new robotic surgical programmes. For these centres, surgical teams will be embarking on robotic-assisted orthopaedic surgery for the first time within their NHS trusts and health boards.