ACADEMY’S ANNUAL MEETING PROVES TO BE BEST CLINICAL CONTENT EVER OFFEREDWith over 1,751 registrants, the Academy & ACPOC Annual Meeting hit an all-time attendance high. Practitioners from over 20 different countries participated in the outstanding clinical content presented by the world’s best in O&P. Internationally known presenters from Australia, Scotland, Sweden, and Germany joined their North American colleagues in delivering the exceptional education programming. According to Bill Barringer, MS, CO, FAAOP, "This Annual Meeting had the best education content ever. Each year the speakers and topics are becoming more scientific." The 2006 Annual Meeting Clinical Content Committee will continue to build the quality and caliber of the topics and presenters in the clinical education program. The 2006 Annual Meeting, March 1-4 in Chicago will further establish the Academy Annual Meeting as a source for the best in clinical O&P education. ACADEMY & CAPO PRESENT INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION SYMPOSIUMCanadian and American practitioners will provide a variety of perspectives on microprocessor knees, treatment of the stroke patient, energy storage in AFOs and much more. Some of the most popular elements of the Academy Annual Meeting are incorporated into this international event. The education sessions will include intense, concurrent 90-minute instructional courses and symposia, case presentations and Manufacturer's Technical Workshops. CROSSING BORDERS - THE NORTH AMERICAN O&P EDUCATION SYMPOSIUM is June 24-25 at the Doubletree International Plaza Hotel in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Program details and registration information may be found in "International Meetings" on this website. The deadline for early-bird registration is May 22. EXPERTS GATHER TO FORECAST FUTURE OF O&PMore than 30 Subject Matter Experts gathered in New Orleans, LA 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 NCOPE and the Academy, was underwritten by an Academy grant provided by the U.S. 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 certificate and baccalaureate level to the master’s degree level. Consensus was reached regarding the current challenges facing the profession and the recommended objectives necessary to meet those challenges. A Master's-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 the O&P institutions to the successful development of a master's-level education program. Advancing the profession through increased education will ultimately be most beneficial to O&P consumers and their quality of life.
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