Foreword
C. Michael Schuch, CPO, FISPO
From the Editor
This issue of the JP0 is special for two
reasons.
This is the last dedicated issue of the
JPO. Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics. The concept of dedicated issues
began with the merging of Orthotics
and Prosthetics and Clinical Prosthetics
and Orthotics into the JPO. When the
JPO first began, it consisted of two
dedicated issues and two open issues
per volume year. The editorial board
selected the subjects, and the editor
recruited the writers.
The board has decided that for 1994
and beyond, each issue of JPO will
have a lead, research-based article with
the remainder of each issue consisting
of articles accepted for publication
from those submitted for review by the
board. The lead article may be selected
from freely submitted manuscripts or
may be recruited as needed. Also, the
cover will be custom illustrated by a
professional medical artist.
Second, and perhaps more importantly, the JPO board is inaugurating a
new initiative with this issue. Over the
next few years, we will publish a series
of articles devoted to research in prosthetics and orthotics. This concept
originated with Tom Lunsford, MSE,
CO, and he has agreed to serve as guest
editor and coordinate the project by
recruiting authors to write the articles.
In this issue, eight articles are offered, written by seven outstanding authors, all well known for their contributions to research within our profession.
Mr. Lunsford opens the series with two
articles, "Clinical Research" and
"Types of Clinical Studies." Mr. Lunsford's articles are followed by "Getting
Started in Prosthetic-Orthotic Research" by Thomas M. Gavin, CO, and
Avanash G. Patwardhan, PhD. This is
followed by "Researching Published
Information" by John W. Michael,
MEd, CPO, FISPO. Brenda Rae
Lunsford, PT, MS, PT, offers two important articles: "Methodology: Variables and Levels of Measurement" and
"Statistics: Screening and Data Summary." Article seven, "Practical Clinical Measures," is written by Donald G.
Shurr, PT, CPO, and the final contribution, by Maurice LeBlanc, MS, CP,
is titled "Funding Research and Development in Orthotics & Prosthetics."
Mr. Lunsford has identified at least 16
additional related topics we plan to
publish in future issues of the JPO.
One may wonder why we chose to
devote such attention to research in orthotics and prosthetics. Charles
Pritham, CPO, former editor of JPO,
answers this question very eloquently:
"Fundamentally, because it has
the potential to influence our livelihood and the lives of the people
to whom we provide services. As
the cost of healthcare services increases and as they increasingly
strain the resources of society, it is
growing more and more imperative that we are able to demonstrate in a scientifically valid manner, the efficacy of a proposed
course of treatment. If we do not
participate in the process of generating such evidence, if we allow
others to seize the initiative in this
area, then we lose control over our
own destinies.
"Even if we as individuals are
not able or interested in conducting research, we should be able to
read the results of such efforts in a
critical and sophisticated fashion.
We should be able to participate in
the debate on an equal footing,
discuss the evidence and methodology in a rational and informed
manner, and bring to bear the
benefit of our clinical experience
and unique perspective as prosthetists/orthotists.
"In the years to come, critical
choices are going to be made, and
the very way in which we do business is likely to be stood on its ear.
We must prepare ourselves now to
meet the challenge."
When Mr. Pritham wrote this perspective more than two years ago, I'm sure
he did not anticipate the significance of
his statement in the current climate of
our profession.
Please join me in studying this last
dedicated issue of our journal and in
looking forward to the future offerings
in the JPO. As always, your comments
and suggestions are welcome.
C. Michael Schuch, CPO, FISPO
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