There is a demand for around 40,000 prosthetists and orthotists worldwide. Hence, if you are interested in Science, then a career in this sector can be rewarding, says Dr Anthony McGarry
Amputation is said to affect 1.5 people in every 10,000. In India, there are thought to be over five million amputees and the numbers of those with disability who require an orthosis is considered to be even higher. Thus, there is a huge demand for qualified prosthetics and orthotics clinicians throughout the world. The International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics estimates that there is a demand for over 40,000 trained clinical personnel worldwide.
Where prosthetists are responsible for providing rehabilitation for people who require an artificial limb following amputation, Orthotists create devices that may be worn permanently or used temporarily to support body and compensate for paralysed muscles, provide relief from pain, or prevent orthopaedic deformities from progressing. Both the works of Prosthetists and orthotists play an important role in the recovery of those with physical functional loss following disease or injury.
The majority of amputations in India are caused by peripheral vascular disease (circulatory problems) and may be associated with diabetes; and trauma; (India has a high number of traffic accidents which tend to affect young men). There are also a high number of people whose mobility has been affected by polio.
Skills
To become a prosthetist or orthotist, you should ideally possess the following qualities:
· Enjoy working with people
· Have good communication and listening skills
· Enjoy solving problems
· Enjoy working practically
· An interest in how the human body works (anatomy, physiology and pathology)
· An interest in how the body moves and how it is affected by external forces (biomechanics)
· An interest in technology and IT
Course
The aspirants need to complete a degree course approved by the Rehabilitation Council of India. This will provide students with the educational background and training to enable them to become competent practitioners and accept professional status and responsibility as prosthetists and orthotists.
Once on an approved course, students combine academic studies with clinical practice and have a chance to design and fit prostheses and orthosis under supervision of tutors.
Programmes cover all aspects of education and training in both prosthetics and orthotics and recognise their commonalities. The degree courses tend to include academic studies; practical clinical training; clinical experience and may include project or specialist modules.
Academic studies include communication skills, anatomy, physiology, pathology, mechanical and biomechanical engineering, human movement and prosthetic and orthotic science. Academic studies tend to be interlinked with practical training sessions where patients may attend for assessment, prescription, casting, fitting, alignment, fabrication of prostheses and orthosis. Students are generally asked to treat their patients holistically and will be introduced to a variety of way to measure the effectiveness of the designed intervention (outcome measures)
Biology modules aim to provide students with a general understanding of key concepts in human anatomy and general pathophysiology of conditions likely to be associated with prosthetics and orthotics. As diabetes is a major contributing cause of amputation, the basic changes in metabolism that occur during diabetes are studied. Skin physiology and pathophysiology are also studied in addition to tissue mechanics and other common pathologies.
Mechanical and biomechanical modules run in sequence with all other clinical and technical modules and allow students to gain understanding in the theory and application of broad engineering sciences which underpin prosthetic and orthotic practice. Students study the knowledge, materials and methods required to give an engineer’s perspective on prosthetics and orthotic systems, their design and interaction with the human body. This understanding strengthens the distinctive competence of the prosthetist orthotist and enhances their contribution to and stature within the multi-disciplinary team. Students gain knowledge of basic and advance clinical and technical applications required to become a competent professional clinician.
During study, professional skills are developed which are focussed on a patient centred approach to clinical prosthetic and orthotic practice and help to develop the interpersonal and communication skills required to effectively implement prosthetics and orthotics in a professional setting. Encouragement is also given to develop and sustain lifelong learning and evidence based practice.
prospects
A qualified prosthetist or orthotist can work alongside other healthcare professionals such as rehabilitation consultants; physiotherapists, who oversee the patient’s exercise regime; and occupational therapists who train the patient in how to perform daily activities with the device. Once qualified as a prosthetist and orthotist, they can provide rehabilitation for those following amputation, or with disability. They will be responsible for assessing a person’s functional loss and requirements and measurement, design and manufacture of an appropriately designed artificial limb or orthosis. They can work in Government hospitals or private practice. Research opportunities are also available in this area.
(The writer is teaching fellow, biomedical engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK)