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July 2005 • Vol. 1, No. 2
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Advancing Orthotic and Prosthetic
Care Through Knowledge
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More than 30 subject matter experts gathered in New
Orleans April 8–9, 2005, to study the current state of
O&P education and to make recommendations for
its future direction. The conference, a collaborative effort
between The National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic
Education (NCOPE) and the Academy, was underwritten
by an Academy grant provided by the US Department of
Education.
The last critical assessment of O&P education took place
nearly 14 years ago. Numerous changes within the O&P
profession have necessitated advancements in the quality
and consistency of O&P clinical education and training.
The panel of experts, including educators, researchers, and
practitioners, gathered to clarify the issues involved in moving
the professional education of orthotists and prosthetists from
the current certifi cate and baccalaureate level to the master’sdegree
level.
Consensus was reached regarding the current challenges
facing the profession and the recommended objectives
necessary to meet those challenges. A masters-level education
was deemed necessary for the delivery of quality patient care,
due to the dynamic base of knowledge and emerging processes
and technologies.
Findings from the O&P Education Summit, a report of
short- and long-term recommendations, will be generated
by NCOPE, the Academy, and other key stakeholders.
NCOPE will assess and create standards to help guide O&P
institutions to the successful development of a masterslevel
education program. Advancing the profession through
increased education will ultimately be most benefi cial to O&P
consumers and their quality of life.
State-of-the-Science Conference Prosthetic Foot/Ankle Mechanisms
April 14–16, 2005, Dallas, TX
Subject matter experts gathered in Dallas April 14–16,
2005, to conduct the fi fth State-of-the-Science Conference
on Prosthetic Foot/Ankle Mechanisms. The
conference was chaired by Don Cummings, CP, of Texas
Scottish Rite Hospital and co-chaired by Susan Kapp, CPO,
of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. The
conference was convened to examine the body of scientific
evidence that supports the clinical prescription and use of
prosthetic foot and ankle mechanisms. A formal literature
search and ranking were conducted prior to the conference
forming a basis for the presentations and discussion relative to
the questions posed:
What scientific methods have been used to determine the functional performance of prosthetic feet and ankle systems in current use? (Identify and describe them, please.) What is the correlation between the available scientific measurements and the clinical methods
used to recommend ankle-foot systems for specific amputees? What is the correlation between prosthetic foot/ankle systems and prosthetic outcomes [performance, patient acceptance, durability, etc.]? In light of the literature review and the panel’s discussion, what are the primary future research priorities?
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Conference outcomes will be published in a Supplement to the October 2005 JPO
and developed into a PCE online course by year’s end. This meeting and subsequent
dissemination of findings is underwritten by an Academy grant provided by the US
Department of Education.
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