Tools, Tech, and Training: What’s in Store?

To listen to the episode, visit Radii Devices’ Substack, or read the transcript below. We talked previously about the digital technology in use today, and started thinking about the future. How do you think technology could impact the design process of the future? Gary - It’s funny, today I was at a hospital with a rehab doctor, and they were reading the report of a guy who had a scan done to their body. Usually, a radiologist signs off on the scan, but this one didn’t have a signature, it had an automatic signature by Artificial Intelligence. For design, I’m thinking that evidence-based design could similarly take you rapidly through 10 steps rather than 20 steps, taking your old scans out and saying ‘What did I do here?’ or ‘What should I do?’, it could say ‘OK, instead of that set of 20 options, here are the two or three that you should go straight to.’ I think that’s really, really good. Say you had to design a check socket–sometimes you need two, but some people need three or four. If technology could tell you one or two, that could mean money and time saved. I believe maybe 40% of the world, maybe even more, does not have access to get what they need. They’re living remotely, the next facility is 300 miles away, or they’re in underdeveloped countries or they live in the mountains. There’s a way with technology to get to more and more parts of the world. However, we want to ensure that this technology is only used by CPOs, who understand the fitting process. What about outside of design, how else might O&P be changed in the future? John - Does anybody look at the environmental outcome? We’re all producing petrochemical cones and powder dust, billions of tonnes a year throughout the whole world annually, and where is it going? It’s all supplied by the petrochemical industry, it all grinds down to powder, and it’s just shoved back into the ground again. There’s obviously an argument saying, well, we used to use plaster, but at least plaster originally came from the ground and you would hope to think that it would break down a lot more quickly than a petrochemical granular foam. Has anybody addressed these issues? If devices could be produced in sugar, if they could be produced in anything that would break down, I think the industry would certainly have a brighter future, a caring future. Gary - I don’t know how it is in Europe, but here in the States, [insurance] is getting crazy. On giving the authorizations, you’ll finalize and then submit it and–this has happened to me and I’m sure many others–they’re requesting more information. They are requesting more clinical documentation to support the claim. Where data would come in is that it could be more specific, and more scientific, to get things paid faster. Or, when it’s requested, a prepayment audit could help also. I see a plus there. How might some of these changes impact the way the next generation trains for a career in O&P? Gary - They are exposed to technology, there’s no question about it. iPads are used heavily, and I think that’s good, it gives trainees a chance to be familiar with it, and you still have to apply the principles and the theory too. The ones that are in school now, even the ones that came out in the last few years, they’re trained more in using computers, iPads and the whole digital process. Now, how well they’re trained, that I don’t know! But I think that they’re exposed to it and I believe all the schools are teaching it, which is a must. John - I think the industry, certainly from a financial point of view, is drastically different from what it was years ago. Without understanding what components make a limb system, without understanding the manufacturing problems and what you’re asking for, without understanding how long it takes to make something, you have absolutely no clue of what’s going on. That has to be a starter. Do we need to think more deeply about how we standardize testing and guidance with O&P as a result of these changes? Gary - Guidelines are used in just about all industries, and very heavily in our industry, so you’re following that. Does it make that much of a difference, as far as when the client comes in and goes home happy? I don’t know. At the end of the day, the user is really the one who’s going to judge: did you treat them right? Did you do it right? And are they happy? If you have every other client coming in with problems like that, then you’ve got to go back to the drawing board–cause, you’re definitely doing something wrong! John - I keep using the word ‘standardization’ because that’s the one that’s come up to me time and time again. How can you do teaching unless you’ve got a standardization of approach? This is where I come back to the standardization of some form, at least initially, of a brim system which is teachable. If it can’t be taught successfully, then the system is failing. It’s no good having a genius at the end of the line, who can get everything right the first time, if you can’t teach it! I’m sure it could be a very great privilege to that one person, who would be extremely rich from everybody going to them–but if it can’t be taught in a simplistic way then, that’s a poor system. So if I’m doing a transfemoral patient, if we have a brim system irrespective of the different variable brims, it’s a standardization of treatment. So if you’re training somebody and you’ve got them to understand how the brim has to fit on their residual limb, then anyone can do it. You’re standardizing that treatment. You’re standardizing that procedure, that technology, so hopefully if the outcomes are successful, then that could be a very, very good start for standardizing the casting systems within any clinical centre. Then digital technology can copy anything you like. Thanks to Gary and John! We hope that through following Clinicians Insights, you feel part of an ongoing conversation, furthering understanding of digital technology and research supporting O&P practitioners in providing our patients with the best comfort, fit and socket fitting experience. If you’ve got thoughts, opinions or insight to share we’d like to hear from you; please feel welcome to get in touch at jenny@radiidevices.com . Thank you, Gary, thank you, John, and thank you to you for joining us for another series! For now, we hope you are having a great start to 2024 and we’ll be returning with the next series of Clinician Insights in the near future!

Tools, Tech, and Training: What’s in Store?

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Tools, Tech, and Training: What’s in Store?

To listen to the episode, visit Radii Devices’ Substack, or read the transcript below.

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Related posts:

Why Do Patients Choose You?

In Memoriam: Rex McKinney, CPO

In Memoriam: Rex McKinney, CPO

O&P JOBS

Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist (CPO)

Now Hiring: Certified Prosthetist Orthotist (CPO)

ABC Certified Orthotic Fitter / Orthotic Assistant

Get unlimited access!

EDGE DIRECT

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Not enough quota to unlock this post