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Spanish Society for Surgery of the Hand (SECMA)
Dear friend:
Welcome to the website of the Spanish Society for Surgery of
the Hand (SECMA). Our organization is a free association of surgeons with a
particular interest in the study of problems arising in the hand or upper
extremity. Unlike other countries, like Finland or Sweden, Hand Surgery is not a
recognized full medical specialty. Yet, the outcome of surgery in this area is
seldom acceptable unless the treating surgeon has specifically trained to obtain
a good level of anatomical knowledge and surgical skill, both being
prerequisites which most orthopedic or plastic surgeons do not fulfill.
Unfortunately, the quality of hand surgery training programs in most Orthopedic
or Plastic Departments is insufficient, if not completely absent. In order to
palliate this, our Society was founded in 1968 by a group of enthusiastic
pioneers. From the beginning, aside from emphasizing the need for cooperation
between all surgeons interested in the Hand, our society has had a strong
attitude in favor of full differential recognition of our specialty in both
clinical and academical domains. For the same reason that nobody would bring a
watch to a car mechanic for repair, we strongly believe that hand injuries are
to be dealt with by professionals who have specifically trained in this field.
Indeed, there is shortage of properly trained hand surgeons in our society, and
this is particularly unacceptable when dealing with what Aristotle considered
the "tool of tools". More than a complicated appendix of our body, the hand is
that precious organ that allowed us to be what we are. Let's take good care of
it!
Dr. Marc García-Elías Cos
garciaelias@infonegocio.com
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