Effective crisis management is crucial to ensure the safety of athletes, visitors, and spectators during major sports events. To address this, the Orthopaedic Department and Bone and Joint Center of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) established a disaster preparedness plan for the World Cup 2022. The Orthopaedic Disaster Preparedness Team (ODPT) was formed as part of this plan. The ODPT consisted of leaders from various disciplines and subspecialties responsible for managing and executing a response to any major incidents that may arise.

The ODPT was divided into four primary teams: Emergency Department (ED), Operating Theatre (OT), Inpatient, and Outpatient teams. Each team comprised leading consultants, specialists, fellows, and residents. The ED team managed orthopaedic trauma cases at the emergency department and ensured efficient patient care. Additionally, the team evaluated ED patients, handled admissions and discharges, made referrals to other facilities, coordinated with the disaster committee lead, and worked with other teams.

The OT team ensured the availability of personnel, supplies, operating rooms, and equipment for orthopaedic surgical procedures. The inpatient team evaluated patients; ensured adequate personnel, beds, supplies, and equipment in orthopaedic wards; provided follow-up instructions; and coordinated transfers with other facilities. The outpatient team provided necessary supplies and equipment for ambulatory procedures and outpatient follow-ups in clinics. To facilitate effective communication during any major incident, the leaders of each team established primary and backup communication pathways via designated landlines, bleeps, and smartphone applications.

A daily backup roster consisting of a senior consultant, two specialists, two fellows, and three residents was implemented to ensure workforce availability. Furthermore, the ODPT conducted regular disaster drills and simulation exercises before the World Cup to enhance the preparedness and response of residents and other orthopaedic personnel. These exercises aimed to imitate actual event responses as closely as possible and provide simulation-based training activities.

By implementing these measures, the HMC Orthopaedic Department and Bone and Joint Center aimed to provide a smooth response to potential crises during the World Cup 2022. The disaster preparedness plan and the ODPT’s efforts ensured that patients received timely and effective orthopaedic care, thereby ensuring the safety of athletes, visitors, and spectators during the event.

Integrating residency and fellowship programs with major sporting events presents trainees with numerous advantages, particularly for those seeking subspecialty fellowships in sports medicine and orthopaedic trauma, where exposure to such events is essential [7, 8]. The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 offers a unique opportunity to enhance residency education through exposure to various clinical and surgical cases.

Some studies have suggested that sports event coverage can be considered essential in Orthopedic residency programs [8, 9]. For instance, a survey by Hodax et al. [9] found that 89% of residency programs either authorized or required residents to participate in sports event coverage. This experience has boosted residents’ confidence in treating orthopaedic conditions in the field.

At Hamad Medical Corporation, the orthopaedic residency program has adapted to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in accordance with the international accreditation council for graduate medical education’s six core competencies, including professionalism, knowledge, patient care, system-based practice, practice-based learning, and communication skills [10]. The program’s leaders ensured the continuity of the educational process and divided the residents into four groups within the ODPT, providing specialized training to each group. Additionally, the program maintained its educational activities, such as Orthopaedics grand rounds, journal clubs, and didactic lectures, throughout the World Cup for both residents and faculty. Trainees continued their orthopaedic subspecialty training without any disruption in their clinical rotations.

The residency program’s exposure to patients from 77 different nationalities with varying cultural backgrounds provided a unique and enriching experience. Dealing with patients from diverse backgrounds increased the volume of cases and challenged the residents to develop their communication skills as they interacted with patients who spoke different languages and had varying cultural beliefs. This exposure allowed the residents to better understand the complexities of providing patient-centred care and improved their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment. Furthermore, the residents could sharpen their surgical skills through the increased volume of cases and the diverse range of conditions they were exposed to. This experience will undoubtedly serve as a valuable asset in their future careers as practising orthopaedic surgeons.

The results of the Orthopedic Surgery Department’s response to the World Cup in Qatar align with previous research on the impact of large-scale sporting events on healthcare systems, where significantly increased patient volume and a greater demand for additional resources, including staff and equipment, are often observed [11, 12].

Moreover, our findings support the importance of advanced planning and preparation in the healthcare sector for large-scale sporting events. Establishing a special task force and implementing a crisis plan allowed the Orthopaedic Surgery section to effectively manage the surge in demand for its services during the World Cup. These efforts also ensured the uninterrupted continuation of the residency and fellowship training programs, which are critical for developing the next generation of orthopaedic surgeons.

Finally, the diversity of nationalities among the patients treated underscores the need for culturally competent healthcare services. This is especially significant in global events like the World Cup, where attendees come from diverse countries and cultural backgrounds.