The American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC) has released the 2017 Practice Analysis of Certified Pedorthists. ABC’s Practice Analysis Task Force and ABC Executive Director Cathy Carter worked with Professional Examination Services, New York, to create and implement a practice analysis of ABC-certified pedorthists.
ABC last conducted a practice analysis study of pedorthists in 2010. In 2016, pedorthists were resurveyed to identify changes related to pedorthic care, available componentry, and the technology in use today.
“The survey results will help define the certification, education, and training of future pedorthists; in the development of valid and reliable examinations; and convey to others outside our disciplines the scope of services provided by certified pedorthists,” said Dennis Dillard, CPed, CTO, chair of the Practice Analysis Task Force.
The overall return rate for the survey was 27 percent, a positive return rate for this type of survey.
“The pedorthists who participated in the survey have provided a great service to their profession,” said Dillard. “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 pedorthist credentialing exam is continually relevant for individuals entering the profession. The results will also be used to identify content for in-service and/or continuing education, as well as provide guidance for education programs regarding 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 pedorthic students need to learn and what information to disseminate,” said Carter.
