As I approach the end of my orthotic residency, I’ve asked myself what were the most important things I learned. At first, I needed to gain self-confidence as patients questioned my experience, and their unique conditions challenged my orthotic expertise. Then, I learned how communication with my healthcare team could determine the overall success or failure of my orthotic device. Finally, as my residency progressed, I began to realize the importance of connecting on a personal level with my patients to provide better patient care.
