The conference is for experienced shoulder surgeons and involves faculty members presenting their experience, and discussing cutting-edge techniques and new medical devices that improve patient outcomes. There were more than 300 surgeons in attendance, either face-to-face or virtually, from over 10 different countries, including Canada, Norway, India, New Zealand and Australia.

Professor Chris Peach says: “I was honoured to be the first OrthTeam consultant, and only British surgeon, to be invited to speak at this innovative event. The hybrid model - face-to-face and virtual attendance - is definitely the way forward for medical education as it allows a much wider audience to benefit from world-class expertise.

“I really enjoyed the forum and it enabled me to meet fellow surgeons from around the globe, and exchange experiences and methods. I demonstrated the cutting-edge techniques we have developed in the UK, and shared my extensive experience in using bioinductive collagen implants to augment and improve outcomes for rotator cuff surgery.”

Professor Chris Peach (third from left) with surgeons from around the globe

Professor Peach was also able to promote the REPARE registry which he has been actively involved in establishing and advocating in many countries. This is a way for shoulder surgeons to gather data on their surgical outcomes of rotator cuff surgery by using a simple online platform, which will ensure learning from a large data set and patient population about how patients recover, and how they might benefit from additional biological enhancement to their recovery.

He also met with his co-investigators in Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore, who are recruiting patients to the clinical trial that he is running across eight countries, examining a new medical device for biological augmentation of rotator cuff repairs. This research was initially delayed due to the pandemic.

Finally, he spent a day at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons where he ran a cadaveric sports surgical skills course for consultants. He demonstrated to fellow surgeons ways to practice new techniques for shoulder instability/dislocation treatment and rotator cuff surgery. The historic building in Melbourne was opened by the then President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, Sir Holburt Waring, in March 1935.

Professor Chris Peach speaking at conference

Professor Chris Peach concludes: “I have greatly benefitted from meeting other like minded surgeons and researchers. As is often the case with these educational trips, I have learnt as much as I have taught, and have developed new ideas to both improve surgical outcomes and research projects.

“I’ve made many new friends and colleagues in Australia, who as always, have proven to be extremely generous and friendly hosts.”

Professor Chris Peach at Australia’s ‘Shoulder Technology Forum’