Over the past few weeks, much of my time has been spent on exchange visits and talks in Canada.

I traveled with the international medical team from Taichung Veterans General Hospital, led by Deputy Superintendent Yuan-Hua Chou. We offered health consultations to the local Taiwanese community and met with colleagues at the University of Toronto, SickKids Hospital, and the University of British Columbia (UBC). Our hosts in Toronto and Vancouver gave us a warm welcome and helped the visit run smoothly.

Our talks covered proton therapy, health screenings, heart care, bone and joint health, and international patient services. We shared both medical techniques and the experience and approaches to care that Taiwan's healthcare system has developed over the years.

One issue came up repeatedly. Canada has an advanced healthcare system, but many Taiwanese community members told us about long waits for treatment, even when a condition was already affecting their quality of life. Several mentioned that, for older adults with spine or joint problems, local doctors often favored nonsurgical care because of concerns about age and surgical risk.

During my talk, I described a joint replacement operation I had performed on a 117-year-old patient. Many people were surprised. The point was not that every older adult should have surgery. Rather, with a thorough evaluation, anesthesia planning, rehabilitation, and coordinated teamwork, some older patients may be able to undergo treatment safely and improve their quality of life.

I also met Taiwanese people who had been living and working abroad for many years. Work often leaves them little time to return to Taiwan, making efficient, comprehensive care especially important. The visit reminded me that Taiwan's healthcare system serves both people at home and Taiwanese communities overseas.

After landing in Taiwan, I headed almost straight to the departure gate for Kobe. It was my first time returning to Taiwan just to catch a connecting flight. Over the next two weeks, I would attend meetings of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) and the Asia Pacific Spine Society (APSS).

Through these exchanges, I hope to keep learning, share our experience, and help colleagues and communities abroad learn more about the comprehensive care available in Taiwan.