The American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC) has released the 2015 Practice Analysis of Certified Practitioners in the Disciplines of Orthotics and Prosthetics. ABC’s practice analysis task force and Executive Director Cathy Carter worked with Professional Examination Services, New York, to create and implement a practice analysis of orthotists and prosthetists. ABC last conducted a practice analysis study of the O&P profession in 2006. In 2014, the delineation was revised and the profession was resurveyed in order to identify changes related to the delivery of care, technology in use, and the use of measurable treatment outcomes. The strategy included a validation study to determine current trends in patient care, technology, and practice management in the provision of O&P devices and services by ABC-certified orthotists and prosthetists.
“The orthotists and prosthetists who participated in the survey have provided a great service to their profession,” said Steven R. Whiteside, CO, FAAOP, ABC’s practice analysis task force chair. “Only those working within the profession can give us a comprehensive and contemporary look into their specific knowledge and skill sets.” ABC will use the results of the practice analysis survey to assure that its O&P practitioner credentialing exams remain relevant. The results will also be used to identify content for in-service and/or continuing education, as well as provide guidance for education and residency programs in regard to curriculum review and/or program self-assessment.
“As a result of the survey, we’ll be able to provide the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE) with pertinent information on what orthotic and prosthetic students and residents need to learn and what information to disseminate,” said Carter.
The Practice Analysis of Practitioners in the Disciplines of Orthotics and Prosthetics is available on the ABC website.
