PIOA welcomes applications from prospective trainees from Pacific Island countries.
Application criteria:
Applicants need to have completed at least 2 years clinical placement following their undergraduate medical degree.
Applicants who commence in 2023 and beyond need to be 35 years of age or younger when they commence training.
Applicants need to be working in a surgical department when they commence training.
Applicants from PNG and Fiji need to have completed the Part 1 (Diploma) surgical exams prior to commencing training.
PIOA program
The PIOA program is a modular program held over 3 years. It is accredited as a Master of Surgery (Orthopaedics) through the National University of Samoa. The final exit examination is administered by independent Australian and New Zealand orthopaedic surgeons who have in the past been senior examiners for the Australian Orthopaedic Association (AOA) and the New Zealand Orthopaedic Association (NZOA) partnering with PIOA graduates who are being trained as examiners.
PIOA is in discussion with Fiji National University and the Fiji Medical Council for accreditation of the program, This is progressing and is hoped to be finalised in the next 12 months. The PIOA program is not recognised in PNG. PIOA is in discussion with the newly formed PNG Orthoapedic Association and will form a partnership agreement. It is also not a recognised qualification in Australia or New Zealand.
PIOA is affiliated with the Australian Orthoapedic Association (AOA) and the New Zealand Orthopaedic Association (NZOA) and is a member organisation of the Asia Pacific Orthopaedic Association (APOA). PIOA aims to provide students with practical skills in orthopaedic surgery. Any decision on acceptance of the qualification as a specialist qualification is a matter for the regulatory authorities in each Pacific Island country.
Please complete the form below and please send a copy of your CV and photo by email to admin@pioa.net