Programme content
Program
The program is jointly organised by the Belgian universities. The teachers are appointed by the respective faculty of the universities.
General Structure of the Program
The BHSC is a 2 year formation, consisting of 4 modules per year, each comprising of 2 days (Friday and Saturday, each 8 hour sessions). These modules are organised alternately at each university with a presence obligation for the students of 80% during the courses. The teachers of every module are appointed by one of the participating universities in the perspective to guard the optimal quality of the training.
Program
Module 1 - Basic principles
- Anatomy
- Biomechanics
- Physiology
- Approaches
- Imaging
Module 2 - Hand part 1
- Tendon injuries
- Metacarpal and phalangeal fractures
- MCP, PIP and DIP injury
- fingertip injuries
- Osteoarthritis of the trapeziometacarpal joint
- Tendinopathy
Module 3 - Hand part 2
- Infections
- Dupuytren
- CRPS
- Inflammatory disease
- Soft tissue tumours
- Bone tumours
- Vascular disorders
- Anesthesia
Module 4 - Nerves
- Nerve injury
- Nerve compression
- Tendon and nerve transfers
- Nerve tumours
- Burns
Module 5 - Wrist part 1
- Instability
- Osteoarthritis
- Arthroscopy
- Fracture
Module 6 - Wrist part 2
- Osteonecrosis
- Arthrodesis
- Arthroplasty
- Elbow
- Physiotherapy and rehabilitation
- Medicolegal aspects
Module 7 - Pediatric Hand
- Embryology
- Congenital hand disorders
- Obstetrical brachial plexus palsy
- Spasticity
- Tetraplegia
Module 8 - Bone and soft tissue reconstruction
- Microsurgery
- Replantation
- Coverage
- Reconstruction
- Amputation
- Dissection of flaps and nerve anatomy
Student Evaluation - BHSC Certificate
An oral exam before the interuniversity jury is organised after the 2 year formation has been completed. The student can enrol to this exam if a minimum of 80% of the eight modules was attended. Additionally students will make a dissertation (peer reviewed publication or dissertation on hand surgery). They will choose and submit their subject of their dissertation by January 31st 2023. Definite submission of the final dissertation is obliged by May 31st 2024.
The oral exam consists of a minimum of 2 oral examination sessions with minimal 2 different juries. Every jury is multilingual, so the student can choose to undergo the examination in Dutch, French or English. Oral exam needs to be taken within 2 years after the end of the 2 year formation.
The juries evaluate all students' results after the exam sessions are finished and conclude on pass/fail. If 'pass' is decided by the conjoined jury, the "Belgian Hand Surgery Certificate" is granted. If 'fail' is decided by the conjoined jury, the "Belgian Hand Surgery Certificate" is not granted and a motivational file is made available on request. Re-exam will be organised within 3 months after communication of this decision and students are allowed one attempt.
Course evaluation - quality control
Evaluation of topics, sessions and speakers by students after each session is the task of the steering committee. This feedback will be used to discuss and implement modifications to the course.