What is Tauranga Orthopaedic Research?

The orthopaedic surgeons of Tauranga have a desire to understand the impact and outcomes for the surgeries that they perform. They formed the Tauranga Orthopaedic Research Society Incorporated in 2005, which is now known as Tauranga Orthopaedic Research, based at Grace Orthopaedic Centre.

Tauranga Orthopaedic Research collects data and undertakes research on behalf of all joint replacements taking place in Tauranga and Whakatāne. This initiative is supported by Hauora A Toi the Bay of Plenty, formerly Bay of Plenty District Health Board. Data is collected on both public and privately funded surgeries.

The data collected helps to understand the outcomes of patients’ surgeries by measuring the improvement in pain, function, and quality of life over time, after the surgical intervention. We can optimise our practice and how we manage patient care in the future with new technologies as we monitor against currently accepted practices.

Monitoring surgical outcomes is achieved by asking patients to complete questionnaires before surgery, one year after surgery, and at five year intervals from the surgery date to understand their progress. The surveys have been developed using internationally accepted standards that are scientific, objective assessments using patient derived measurement tools. This shifts away from clinician assessment and recognises that the most important outcome is that of the patient.