‘Tacit Knowledge’: Education and Training on a Face-to-Face Basis

Abstract

For decades the AO’s programme of user education has been famous among surgeons and was ultimately a major asset in winning general acceptance for the AO technique. However, the main motivation behind the AO’s educational efforts was the desire to see its technique correctly applied.¹ Well aware of the fact that in the past mistakes in osteosynthesis had led to catastrophes and caused the method to fall into disrepute, the AO surgeons thought it necessary to assume responsibility for training those who would make use of their equipment. This was part of their general attempt at controlling the spread of their technique.