The future is in our hands

Authors: C Niek van Dijk

Publish Date: 2010/07/10

Volume: 18, Issue: 8, Pages: 1003-1004

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Abstract

The best way to keep ahead of things and be prepared for the future is to have a defined strategy ESSKA was founded by a group of knee surgeons and defined its purpose in general and global terms in 1984 Sports Trauma was added in 1992 but without any indepth discussions about the mission and goals of the organization In the year 2002 the name changed to ESSKA 2000 but we did not change article 6 which defines the purpose of the society Likewise in 2008 when it was decided to change back to ESSKA we kept our article 6 intactThis does not mean that we have not done well On the contrary an increasing number of members growth of the fellowship programme a huge activity in our scientific committees and sections increasing activities toward Eastern Europe a wellorganized professional Bureau in Luxemburg the reorganized KSSTA Journal a positive attitude toward the expanding subspecialties increased contact with National Societies a close relation with international societies like ISAKOS and a great and highly rewarded biannual congress with 2200 Participants in OsloBut we went from decision to decision We did not define our goals objectives and action program in a structured manner And what is more important we did not prioritize the goals of the society Given our limited resources it is important to use our strength and to eliminate our weaknesses My mission as president of ESSKA is to create a strategic plan for the future But this is a team effort I invite everybody to participate in the discussion Out of these discussions we will define our goals for the future These goals will lead to a working plan with objectives and action programs Our strategic plan will provide improved structure to the society and make it even stronger in the futureESSKA wants to raise the level of care in the field of Arthroscopy Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine and thus improve the quality of life and the mobility of our patients ESSKA offers its members support in research and education ESSKA aims to improve the communication and visibility on ESSKA activities and achievements and to improve the corporation between our members national and international societiesPoliticians are generally not aware of the significance of the musculoskeletal diseases This field is underrepresented and low ranked by politicians when decisions about financial support are made Other medical fields have received much greater attention and resources in spite of the fact that the treatment available is among the most efficient and cost effective

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