Dr James Robson - Life's a Pitch!

Students and staff at the TORT Centre formed a rapt audience when they were treated today (16 May 2017) to an extremely informative, humerous and inspiring lecture given by Dr James Robson entitled ‘Life’s a Pitch: the work of the team doctor’.

Some of you may already be familiar with Dr Robson from watching the 6-Nations Rugby tournament each year as he has been the Scotland Rugby Team Doctor/Physio and subsequently Chief Medical Officer for over two decades. He is not just rugby's most admired doctor, he is also the most experienced.

Dr Robson was a Dundee-based GP for 13 years before focussing his full attention to rugby with six World Cups from 1991 and six British and Irish Lions tours highlighting how highly regarded he is in world rugby. So much so that in 2010 he was awarded a Fellowship ad hominem from The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. This is an extremely rare accolade to be presented to an individual who is not a surgeon. The honour is awarded to those who are regarded by the College to have achieved distinction in their particular professional field and provided special service to the “art and science of surgery.”

Dr Robson in action treating Alan Dell whilst on duty with the Scottish Rugby Team

Dr Robson has also been at the forefront of injury research and received wide praise for his approach to player safety and welfare, highlighted most notably for his pivotal treatment of Will Greenwood on the Lions tour in 1997 and Scotland's Thom Evans against Wales in 2010, when he was credited with having saved Greenwood’s life and protected Evans from possible paralysis.

More recently Dr Robson has been an advocate of the essential need for better understanding and treatment of concussive injuries and in implementing a universal strategy for suspected concussion.

Professor Abboud and Dr Robson, kneeling centre, with the TORT Centre students

Professor Rami Abboud, Co-Director of the MRes in Sports Biomechanics & Rehabilitation and Head of the Department of Orthopaedic & Trauma Surgery, stated:

“It is indeed a great honour to have James lecture here at the TORT Centre. His experience and knowledge in the field are second to none and his dedication to sport in general and specifically of rugby is undeniable. Despite his hectic schedule with training, travel, and a Spring Tour coming up, James has always been keen to share his vast knowledge and experience with our students whenever he can tackle his way out of the hectic world of rugby. I caught him on time this year before his next trip and as this was the final lecture for many of our students I can safely say what an exciting final it was. I would like to sincerely wish him and the Scottish team a safe and successful trip and we look forward to seeing him again next year.”