Research and Education

FOCOS is dedicated to the research and education of orthopedics.  FOCOS recognizes that developing nations provide valuable information on the epidemiology, natural history, and treatment outcomes of spine disorders and other musculoskeletal conditions.  Each mission trip, FOCOS brings a USA based research team to assisit and work alongside the Ghana research team.

FOCOS research and education programs include:

• Clinical data collection and secure web-based data entry
• Ongoing school screenings
• Conferences and workshops for local health care professionals
• Patient outreach and prevention forums and events

Education efforts expand beyond the borders of Africa. Several FOCOS Ghana doctors and nurses have traveled to New York to study at the Hospital for Special Surgery.  During these fellowships, the international visitors observe and learn about the latest developments in medicine.  New knowledge is taken back to FOCOS partners to be practiced and implemented. Read "My Trip to the USA"by FOCOS nurse, Roman Demissie to learn about her fellowship experience.

Education efforts also involve health professionals from the USA traveling to Ghana. Each year the Andrew N. Swanson, MD Alumni Traveling Fellowship is awarded to a resident from the Hospital of Special Surgery who is interested in the area of spine surgery and has demonstrated commitment to providing compassionate medical care. The traveling fellowship consists of a two week scholarship with the FOCOS clinic in Ghana. The 2010 recipient was Dr Han Jo Kim (pictured below with Dr Boachie). The research he carried out has been accepted for poduim and e-poster presentation at the IMAST and NASS in 2011. Click here to learn more about the research.