On Wed, 20 Jan 1999, Jonathan Reynik wrote:
> I am writing to inquire whether anyone has any figures/statistics that may
> indicate the total number of patients that would normally require P&O
> services over a 1 year period in a total population of 10.5 million people
> assuming normal market patterns/conditions.
As a very rough guide to the prosthetic part of your question, I’d assume
0.1% of population ( 1:1000 ) requires prosthetic services. This figure
works well for New Zealand and Australia ( correct me if I’m wrong
Aussies ). I’ve seen variations up to 0.15%, but nothing too severe unless
there is a history of strife.
> regarding the number of P&O facilities that would be required to serve the
> needs of this patient population.
The density of population centres determines the siting of facilities,
rather than just the total number. I wouldn’t even have a guess at the
staffing requirements until the overall structure is more specifically
defined: Facility number, central fabrication vs regional fabrication, etc..
all have effects.
Can’t help at all with Orthotic services.
Scott Stringer – Prosthetist
New Zealand
