[Initial experience with postgraduate specialization of nurses from orthopaedic departments.].

In the Institute for Postgraduate Training of Health Workers in Brno the first three-semester course of nurses working in orthopaedic departments was held in 1991-1993. Of 25 participants 19 nurses completed the course with honours. In the submitted article the syllabus of the course is given with emphasis on new views on nursing (in particular basic care and specialized nursing care, therapeutic care and psychosomatic care and management in the health services). Teaching calls for close interdisciplinary collaboration of doctors, teachers of nursing, psychologists, lawyers, and other specialists. Those who passed this course are candidates for leading posts in orthopaedic departments (ward sisters and matrons). Postgraduate training is essential for all groups of health workers. Key words: postgraduate training of nurses, nursing in orthopaedics, theory and practice in medicine.