Report - 2007
National Centre for Prosthetics and Orthotics
The National Centre for Prosthetics and Orthotics (NCPO) has had a busy year consolidating existing projects, adapting to the new Faculty structure and providing high quality domestic and distance education programs. The NCPO is the only institution in the Southern Hemisphere that delivers this level of education in Prosthetics and Orthotics. It is well positioned among a small number of international institutions who can claim to be world leaders in P&O education and research and staff are working toward further developing this potential. Graduates of our course are internationally dispersed and are already well represented in the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada, USA, Sweden, the Middle East and South East Asia.
Professorial Appointments, significant retirements, other staff recognitions
Margaret Hodge was elected to the International Board of the International Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) by her peers in the international arena. ISPO is a multidisciplinary society dedicated to the benefit of persons living with disabilities who require prostheses or orthoses through education, research and clinical services.
Key developments in Teaching and Clinical Education
Staff have been involved in developing curriculum for the new combined Bachelor/Master degree in line with other clinical programs. The NCPO undertook extensive liaison with the professional organization (AOPA) and directly with clinicians in the field. This process has assisted in developing the final framework for the program to be implemented beginning in 2009. The structure of this new program was advertised at the World Congress of the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics held in Vancouver in July 2007. There was an overwhelmingly positive response to the proposed course and a high level of interest in the Graduate Entry Masters program.
Key Developments in Research
A project on Clinical Placement Strategy funded by a DHS grant awarded to Wes Pryor and the NCPO’s former Head of Department, Mr Rod Cooper, was concluded and presented by Anthony Francis. The project sought to increase the efficiency of clinical placements by delivering online material to augment and enhance the learning opportunities for NCPO undergraduate students. This was put to practical use when trialed with the first cohort of our Cambodian based students. Five PhD students are currently working under NCPO supervision. Publications and presentations were made by NCPO staff members and post graduate students Dr Tim Bach, Dr Michael Dillon, Margaret Hodge, Aileen Ibuki, Renee McKenzie, Wesley Pryor.
The NCPO was well represented at the triennial ISPO World congress with Tim Bach chairing the Scientific Committee, Michael Dillon, Wes Pryor and Margaret Hodge chairing sessions and presenting papers. Two of our current post graduate students presented papers that were very well received.
Key Developments in Community Service
Staff of the NCPO continue to undertake significant roles in the national and international professional community. Michael Dillon chairs the ISPO Australia Scientific and Education Committee, and Sarah Anderson is Honorary Secretary to ISPO Australia. Wes Pryor continues his role as International Consultant (Pacific) for the International Committee of ISPO, and Margaret Hodge is an International Board Member, member of the Education Committee and member of the Publications and Publicity Committee. Rowan English represents the NCPO as a member of the Certification Committee for the Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association. The NCPO took part in a pilot project with Northern Health providing a clinical orthotic service to its Craigieburn site. The project is currently being evaluated and early indications are very positive.
Key Developments in International Activities
The NCPO currently has student enrolments from Australia, Africa, UK, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Laos, and North America. The graduation of first cohort of Cambodian School of Prosthetics and Orthotics (CSPO) students occurred during the year with a local celebration of the graduation taking place in Phnom Penh in September. Rowan English represented La Trobe University at this landmark ceremony which attracted substantial international interest. A second cohort of students selected from graduates of CSPO commenced studies in Cambodia and are expected to graduate in 2009.
Teaching into undergraduate and post graduate programs in Japan through Kobe College of Medical Welfare and Hokkaido College of High Technology has been expanded with staff teaching in trans-femoral and trans-tibial prosthetics. This exposure has lead to increasing enrolments of Japanese students in our upgrade course which sees students spend two semesters on campus in Bundoora.
The NCPO was represented at the Strategic Alliance of Prosthetics and Orthotics Schools (SAPOS) meetings by Wes Pryor and Margaret Hodge. This meeting continues to build links with Asian P&O programs and expands the NCPO’s ability to influence the quality of education in the region.
Brief summary of any reviews undertaken within the Centre
An external review of the distance education program provided to upgrade the graduates of the Cambodian School of Prosthetics and Orthotics (CSPO) was conducted. The review has lead to changes in the delivery of the curriculum in the short term and will provide direction for changes in the longer term.
PhDs and Professional Doctorates completed in 2007 While no PhDs nor Professional Doctorates were completed by the NCPO’s small contingent of staff, substantial progress has been made with Wes Pryor being awarded the Deans Scholarship and Margaret Hodge given access to Outside Studies Program leave during the year to progress their PhDs to completion. Sarah Anderson and Angela Peluso completed Masters Degrees in Public Health, and Rowan English completed a Master of Business Administration respectively.