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CSPO Graduation

Nine students graduated from the Cambodian School of Prosthetics and Orthotics (CSPO) after successfully completing the Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics at La Trobe University. Seven of the nine successful students were able to attend the CSPO graduation ceremony held in Pnom Penh, Cambodia alongside their counterparts who graduated from the local CSPO diploma program.
The ceremony was held on Tuesday, September 11th in the Calmette Hospital grounds adjacent to the School. The Head of the National Centre for Prosthetics and Orthotics (NCPO), Rowan English, attended on behalf of La Trobe University.
The program is the inaugural upgrade program from a category II Diploma to a Bachelor level program and is the first of its kind. The group of graduates included 5 Cambodians, 2 Pakistanis, 1 Lao and 1 Sri Lankan students who undertook studies via off-shore teaching for three semesters by NCPO staff while being physically located in Cambodia. Three months was spent on campus at La Trobe University attending lectures and undertaking practical work including a clinical placement.
Cambodia has the one of the highest rates of physical disability of any country in the world. Although detailed demographic data for Cambodia is not always reliable, it is generally accepted that well over 40,000 Cambodians have suffered amputations as a result of mine injuries since 1979. Hence, the education and training of individuals that are able to lead and develop the services for clients needing prosthetics and orthotic services is essential.
It is anticipated that the second cohort of students based in Cambodia will begin their on-line studies in January 2008. At present, these students are completing their English language studies and will be selected into the next program at the NCPO based on their academic results and English language skills.

Posted September 2007

 

CSPO graduates

Seven of the nine CSPO students who attended the graduation ceremony
NCPO at ISPO2007

A large contingent of 6 NCPO staff, 2 higher degree candidates and a few undergraduate students attended the 12th ISPO World Congress in Vancouver in early August. Their attendance was very generously enabled by the remaining NCPO colleagues and external sessional lecturers/tutors, who worked hard on-campus to ensure vital teaching services were provided while the Congress team was absent.
Associate Professor Tim Bach was the Chair of the Congress Scientific Program. Tim had worked with the Canada-based convening committee for a couple of years to devise six intense days of learning for delegates.
For the first time at a World Congress, the NCPO was provided with a booth in the Trade Exhibition. The booth was a venue for display of NCPO programs, curriculum and future plans, and proved very popular with Congress delegates. Technical Officer Steve Hockey managed the booth, which was staffed by him and the NCPO team for the duration of the exhibition.
NCPO Head, Rowan English, found the Congress to be an excellent opportunity to meet the international P&O community for the first time. Rowan spent many Congress hours meeting with delegations from various countries to discuss existing and possible future collaborations.
Other NCPO staff and higher degree candidates contributed presentations of Free papers, Symposia, Instructional courses and Posters. Because of the connection between the NCPO and the Congress Scientific Committee, this year many NCPO papers were ineligible for consideration for Congress awards. Informal feedback from delegates was that they found the NCPO contributions to be of very high quality and interest.
NCPO staff continue to be involved in ISPO international organisational spheres. Lecturer Wes Pryor is currently the Acting ISPO Consultant for the South Pacific and, in that capacity, attended the ISPO International Committee prior to the Congress. At the ISPO World Assembly, Lecturer Margaret Hodge was announced as a new member of the ISPO Executive Board and attended her first Board meeting after the Congress.
The Strategic Alliance of Prosthetics and Orthotics Schools (SAPOS) held two meetings in Vancouver, at the conclusion of the ISPO activities. Margaret, Wes and Rowan attended to represent the NCPO. Items of special NCPO interest at the SAPOS meeting were the NCPO distance education program for the Cambodian P&O School, and the upgrade program offered for Japanese diploma graduates.
In all, the World Congress was a great experience for those who attended. It provided opportunity for meeting with international colleagues, presentation of research and development projects to a large audience, and learning from the work of the wider P&O community. The NCPO presented a strong profile and is likely to build on that during the next several years. Individual staff who went to the Congress are grateful to their colleagues who covered their absence so capably, and to the University for supporting their attendance.

Posted Setember 2007

The ISPO2007 Venue

A view of the Vancouver Exhibition Center at Canada Place, the venue for ISPO 2007
NCPO Students Win Prizes

Six students received awards at the La Trobe University Prizes Ceremony.
Nigel Freeman received the Australian Orthopaedic Association Prize.
Joanne Clough received the Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association Inc.(Vic Section) Prize.
Aileen Ibuki received the E.H. Armstrong Prize for services to Lower Limb Amputees.
Timothy Burke received the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) Prize.
Ella Nicolson received the Otto Bock Prize.
Thomas Paine received the Robert Gardener Memorial Prize.
The large Ceremony was attended by hundreds guests who were family and well wishers of all the La Trobe prize recipients.
For the NCPO student prize winners, Mr Terry Gallagher representing Otto Bock and Sarah Anderson representing the Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association were both in attendance which was greatly appreciated by the prize winners.

Posted September 2007

Student prizewinners for 2007

NCPO prize winners from the left: Ella Nicholson, Timothy Burke, Joanne Clough, Thomas Paine and Nigel Freeman. Aileen Ibuki was not able to attend because she was in Canada for the P&O World Congress
Can You Support an Honours Student?

The NCPO is in the process of planning for the 2008 Honours year. At a recent information session, it was apparent that there is a great deal of interest in the 2008 Honours Year among current third year students.
In the past, a number of Australian P&O facilities, both Victorian and inter-state, have supported honours student projects by
• Suggesting topics for research
• Collaborating in supervision of students
• Providing access to patients
• Providing research facilities
• Providing financial support
If you have suggestions for projects or feel you are in a position to provide support for an honours project in 2008, please contact the honours coordinator, Dr. Tim Bach E-mail: T.Bach@LaTrobe.edu.au, Phone: (03) 9479 5884).

Posted September 2007

 

NCPO Curriculum Reform

In response to anticipated changes in health service models, La Trobe University’s Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) has embarked on wide-spread reform of all curriculum. This means the NCPO must completely reform its course for prosthetists and orthotists.
Earlier this year, the FHS defined many aspects of the new curriculum, with which the new P&O courses must comply. It must include new first year units, which are common for all health science students. It must offer a Bachelor degree exit point after 3 years of full-time study, and a Masters degree after 4 years of study. It should provide for a graduate-entry Masters that takes 2 years to complete. Various other aspects of the curriculum were also prescribed by the FHS, but many options were left open for the NCPO.
This provides an exciting opportunity for the NCPO to revise its programs, streamline entry and exit points and implement changes to benefit the community. During the past few months, the NCPO staff have worked swiftly and diligently to create a curriculum proposal to meet the FHS requirements, expand the type of P&O qualifications available, and strengthen Australian prosthetics and orthotics service provision. The NCPO goal is for the new courses to be advantageous in providing more pathways to qualification as a safe, entry-level practitioner, for Australian and international students. In reforming the curriculum, care has been taken to retain the same, or provide greater, depth in learning about prosthetics and orthotics clinical practice.
Briefly, the proposal is to establish a 4-year Masters in prosthetics and orthotics. If students choose to leave after 3 years, they may gain a Bachelor degree in orthotics or a Bachelor degree in prosthetics. It will be possible for the NCPO to create an entry point for people with a suitable degree, to enrol in a graduate-entry Masters in prosthetics and orthotics, by taking the final 2 years of the 4-year program. Such people would have completed 5-years of study in total: 3 years in a related degree and the 2-year P&O program. These ideas are in draft form at present. The NCPO is about to embark on a consultation process with the profession and community, to seek feedback and input for more detailed curriculum design.
The proposed change presents a significant issue for the Australian P&O profession to address. Consideration should be given to possible advantages and disadvantages this model may have on service delivery and on employment conditions.
The FHS will implement the new curriculum, including the new P&O program, in 2009. Planning of the courses must be completed this year.
Information about the draft curriculum will soon be circulated to the Australian prosthetics and orthotics community, including professional organisations, facilities and clients. Please send written feedback to Deputy Head and Curriculum Reform Coordinator, Margaret Hodge, who can also be contacted via phone: 03 9479 5778 or email: M.Hodge@latrobe.edu.au. NCPO Head, Rowan English, can be contacted via phone 03 9479 5862 or email: Rowan.English@latrobe.edu.au. All NCPO staff contact details are available via the ‘Contacts’ link at: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/ncpo/

Posted June 2007

 

A diagram of the draft course outline

A diagram of the draft proposal

Restructured Faculty of Health Sciences

The Faculty of Health Sciences at La Trobe University has recently been restructured to create three Divisions. They are the Divisions of Allied Health, Nursing and Health Studies. This new structure was created to provide a more functional management arrangement and to better reflect the external health environment where the majority of graduates will be employed. It offers a greater opportunity to develop multi-disciplinary skills through integrated programs of study which reflect and lead current practice. Opportunities for gains in efficiency through sharing of information and resources will now be more readily accessible given the number of shared challenges.
The Division of Allied Health officially came into being on April 2nd 2007. The Division integrates the Schools of Human Communication Sciences, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Social Work and Social Policy with the Departments of Clinical Vision Services, Podiatry and the NCPO. The Division now has an effective full-time student allocation of almost 2000 students and 115 staff.
The Division of Allied Health is headed by the Associate Dean, Professor Karen Dodd. A management team comprising Heads of all Schools and Departments provides advice and assistance to Professor Dodd in her leadership of the Division.
This structural change moves the NCPO from a department within the school of Human Biosciences to the Division of Allied Health. This structural change, along with the proposed curriculum changes, bring the NCPO into an equal partnership with each of the other Allied Health clinical schools.

Posted June 2007

The old structure of the FHS

 The new structure of the FHS
The old structure of the faculty (left) compared to the new structure (right)
Clinical Educator Seminar

The NCPO is pleased to have secured and sponsored registration for a small number of participants in a multi-disciplinary seminar for Clinical Educators. Because the total number of delegates is restricted, although the NCPO reserved the maximum possible places, the available number is quite small. This rare learning opportunity will be presented by experts in clinical education and will involve interactive teaching styles.
If you are interested in attending this workshop, please send an expression of interest, via email, to <M.Hodge@latrobe.edu.au>, before June 30th. Priority for places will be given to persons responsible for supervision of NCPO students. If interest exceeds the number of places available, a ballot will be used to select attendees and one individual from any clinical institution will be invited.
Topic: Teaching and assessing clinical reasoning and professional judgement in healthcare
Presenters: Dr Della Fish and Dr Linda de Cossart
Date: Monday 17th September
Time: 10am - 1pm
Location: La Trobe University City Campus

Posted June 2007

Curriculum Corner - 1st Year Upper Limb Prosthetics

1st year students with their training arms

Some of the 1st year students with their training arms

As part of the first year student’s introduction to prosthetics, students make an upper limb training arm for each other. The project is designed to expose students to the different aspects of P&O and for them to get experience acting as both a clinician and client.
Students cast each other, modify and laminate upper limb training arm ‘prosthesis’ in their choice of colours and designs. One highlight of the program is a session with Karen Roberts, a specialist OT, who set the students to task of making sandwiches, cutting food and sewing. Karen also explained some of the complicating factors of upper limb prosthetics such as acceptance, the importance of cosmesis, requirements of the prosthesis and the importance of a good working relationship between client, clinician, Doctor and OT. Peeling potatoes and cutting carrots were identified as being the most difficult tasks to undertake except for one student who found sewing to be the most difficult thing - he did however admit to the fact that he was no better at sewing with both hands. Students commented that the session was valuable and a real eye-opener.
The frank discussions that the students had regarding peoples perception of them in public whilst wearing their ‘prosthesis’ explored perceptions of how being ‘different’ may affect people in varying ways. One student related that while wearing the training home on the tram, people were very courteous and numerous people offered her a seat.

Posted June 2007

ANZ Research Grant Awarded to NCPO Lecturer

An ANZ Medical Research and Technology in Victoria grant of $19,000 was awarded to NCPO Lecturer Les Barnes to help his research into prosthetic ankle function.
Les is currently doing a Professional Doctorate part time as well as his teaching duties. He commenced the Doctorate in March 2004 and it is to be completed in 2012. The topic of his Doctoral Study is Prosthetic Management of Ankle Motion During Walking.
Les will be commencing clinical trials involving amputee subjects in 2007. The trials involve measurement of prosthetic ankle motion with force transducers fitted to a transtibial prosthesis. The proposed outcome of these trials is to identify and quantify suitable signals from the transducers that can be used as input to a computer control system for a prosthetic ankle joint.
Later, other trials will be conducted on a prototype prosthetic ankle joint fitted to transtibial prostheses. The goal of these trials is to ensure that the ankle is able to provide suitable control and motion in amputee walking.
The ANZ Medical Research and Technology grants are limited to projects in Victoria for basic clinical and biomedical research on major health problems. The objective of the grant program is to support medical research, including the purchase of equipment essential to a specified project. Grants of up to $30,000 are awarded for one year.

Posted march 2007
AAOP 8th State of Science Conference on Biomechanics of Partial Foot Amputee Gait

Dr. Michael Dillon recently attended the American Academy of Prosthetists and Orthotists (AAOP) 8th State-of-Science conference (SSC) on the “Biomechanics of ambulation after partial foot amputation” where he presented the results of a systematic literature review co-authored with Research Assistant Professor and NCPO graduate Stefania Fatone (Prosthetics Research Laboratory and Rehabilitation Engineering Research Program, Northwestern University) and NCPO staff member Ms. Margaret Hodge.
“The systematic review was aimed at establishing what is known about gait and prosthetic/orthotic intervention in persons with partial foot amputation (PFA), and to identify what needs to be known to optimise gait and prosthetic intervention,” Dr. Dillon said. “Overall there was strong evidence that PFA effects gait but low evidence supporting a detailed understanding of the underlying mechanics; particularly concerning the effect of prosthetic and orthotic intervention.”
Given the increased incidence of diabetes and partial foot amputation which is now believed to affect about 80,000 Americans per year, the push towards improving our understanding seems timely.
“The State-of-Science meetings highlight an impressive step forward by the Academy to improve the evidence base of clinical practice,” Dr. Dillon said.
“The SSC helps define and encourage current best practice and identify research priorities to strengthen the scientific basis for clinical decision-making well into the future.”
The outcomes of the consensus conference are provided to US funding agencies to help steer redearch funds to areas of priority,
Proceedings of the AAOP State-of-Science meetings can be found at www.oandp.org/jpo/ and are available free of charge. Previous meetings have explored a range of topics including: Knee-Ankle-Foot orthoses for ambulation, Outcome measures in lower limb prosthetics and Prosthetic foot-ankle mechanisms, to name just a few.

Posted March 2007
Teaching CSPO Students & Visit by CSPO Manager

For over a year now, a very unique group of students has been part of the National Centre for Prosthetics and Orthotics at La Trobe. A small group of students from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Laos and Cambodia have been studying with us by distance while based at the Cambodian School of Prosthetics and Orthotics (CSPO).
The students recently visited La Trobe for 3 months intensive clinical work. During the specially developed summer semester, the students completed technical projects in Lower Limb Orthotics units, both transtibial and transfemoral prosthetics as well as a brief clinical placement and theoretical work in research methods, upper limb orthotics and prosthetics as well as fracture management.
Units that are typically extended over a 13 week semester were compressed to one or two weeks. This was a new challenge for both staff and students.
When asked about the best thing about visiting, one student suggested that
“..practical projects, where we can become accustomed with different materials and components were great. After studying by distance, we really appreciated the face to face teaching as well.” It was hoped that the experience would allow graduates to improve clinical services in their home countries, where the needs are disproportionately high.
“Not only have our clinical skills been developed, but knowing the world-class standard of P&O care in Australia, we will be able to advocate for improved services for our own clients,” one student said.
“And, since many of us will be teaching, exposure to different teaching methods and evaluation techniques will really help us,” added another. “Learning from experienced senior staff was a great experience for us – Les Barnes is a really friendly guy who we learned a lot from!”
The students are currently back in Phnom Penh undertaking further distance studies including the Bases for Clinical Decisions and Independent Study project. One student suggested that “Learning about research is really valuable to us, as this is sometimes ignored in our parts of the world.”
The students are due to graduate in July this year. A second intake is planned for 2008. The NCPO is currently conducting a comprehensive review of this program to improve its quality for future intakes.

Posted March 2007

CSPO students and staff

CSPO students and staff, as well as NCPO staff, enjoy a lunch in the HS Clinic courtyard
NCPO Invited to Distance Ed Meeting

Distance Ed group

The delegates to the Distance Education meeting held in Hong Kong. NCPO staff member Wes Pryor is third from left on the back row.

The NCPO has long been recognised as a leader in distance education (DE). The international P&O community is increasingly exploring how DE can be used to increase the skills base in our field both in industrialised and low income nations. Recognising this shift, a task force established by the International Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics recently convened a strategic meeting of educators with experience in DE. The meeting was hosted by the P&O department of the Hong Kong Polytechnic Institute in Hong Kong.
Recognising the NCPOs leadership in this area, ISPO invited Wes Pryor to contribute to the meeting. Over three days, around 20 delegates from 10 countries discussed their projects in DE and how they had advanced the educational requirements in their regions. Of particular interest to the group was the NCPO’s recent experiences with DE for a group of students based in Phnom Penh. Mr. Pryor was able to report the projects strengths and weaknesses to the delegates.
Among the outcomes of the meeting was a resolution to explore Continuing Professional Education opportunities for all professionals in P&O and related fields. The NCPO looks forward to contributing to those developments.

Posted March 2007
NCPO at ispo2006

The NCPO was recently represented at the 2006 Annual Scientific Meeting of the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics, Australian National Member Society by a number of staff.
A/Prof Tim Bach attended in his capacity as Chair of the Scientific Committee of the forthcoming World Congress of the ISPO and ran an advanced instructional course regarding observational gait analysis. Dr. Michael Dillon presented a free paper regarding advanced teaching strategies. Ms. Sarah Anderson presented a number of papers in the AOPA session regarding the Therapeutic Goods Act.
NCPO Lecturer and Acting Head, Margaret Hodge presented a free paper involving biomechanical assessment of an articulated GRAFO, which was a collaborative research project funded by St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne; a poster investigating the AOPA CPD program and Evidence Based Practice and, in her capacity as immediate past president of the ISPO ANMS, Margaret presented an interesting history of ISPO Australian conferences. NCPO higher degree candidate Renee Downie, presented a free paper that discussed the amputee perspective of the prosthetist role.
Attendance at the meeting gave NCPO staff both an opportunity to present recent developments at the NCPO and to collaborate with peers and colleagues from the wider community of professionals involved in prosthetics, orthotics and rehabilitation.

Posted Deceember 2006

Associate Professor Tim bach presenting his instructional course

Associate Professor Tim bach presenting his instructional course
International Activities

As a result of efforts over the past 10 years to increase the international profile of the NCPO, staff of the University are often asked to attend overseas conferences and meetings to share their expertise and coordinate efforts in teaching and research. Since our last newsletter, three staff have been overseas to represent the NCPO.
Associate Professor Tim Bach was the keynote speaker at the 2006 Asian Prosthetics and Orthotics Workshop in Korea from October 15 to 16. His keynote presentation titled “The Biomechanics of lower limb prostheses: Exploring the myths”, examined a number of common beliefs about the biomechanics of above and below knee prostheses. The presentation demonstrated that in many cases there is little evidence to support these beliefs and in some cases the available evidence contradicts current understanding.
Dr. Michael Dillon recently delivered the keynote address at the 22nd Annual Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics held in Kumamoto, Japan on the 21st-22nd October, 2006 to around 1000 delegates. His address, entitled “Insights into the Ischial Containment Concept”, explored the evidence base for the ischial containment approach and presented theoretical arguments to address long-standing controversies in the literature about how the ischial containment socket geometry and coronal plane alignment influence gait compared to the quadrilateral approach. Michael wishes to extend sincere thanks to Mr Mitsuhiko Uchida, principal of Kobe College of Medical Welfare, for his assistance in translating his presentation and to JSPO for the invitation to present at this meeting.
While he was in Japan, Dr. Dillon also presented an ischial containment course to final year students at Kobe College of Medical Welfare. The course reflects an ongoing collaboration between the NCPO and Kobe College of Medical Welfare which began with the inaugural delivery of this purpose built course in late 2005. Over the past 12 months, some additional materials have been developed to support teaching of ischial containment to students at the NCPO and abroad including a manual, mini pelvic models and matching ischial containment sockets. The NCPO gratefully acknowledges the financial support of Ossur Asia-Pacific as well as the assistance of Ms. Fiona Barnett to develop these teaching resources. We would also like to thank Kobe College of Medical Welfare for the invitation to teach this ischial containment program as well as the staff and volunteers who assisted in making the program such a success. If you wish to know more about the ischial containment course, please contact Michael Dillon either by phone +61 3 9479 5889 or by email: Michael.Dillon@latrobe.edu.au
In July, NCPO lecturer Wesley Pryor was asked by Handicap International, Belgium (HIB), to prepare a report regarding the training requirements and current capacity of P&O professionals in Iraqi Kurdistan. HIB until recently ran orthopaedic centres in Sulaymaniah and in Halabja. These two centres were handed over to local agency the Kurdistan Organisation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled. Mr. Pryor evaluated the current strengths, weakness and training priorities for the local personnel and made a series of recommendations regarding ongoing professional education. The needs for developing the capacity of prosthetists and orthotists in Iraqi Kurdistan as well as other parts of Iraq are clear. Explosive remnants of war are extremely common in all parts of the country. Some are legacies of former conflicts, both internal and with neighbouring nations. The NCPO was pleased to contribute to the ongoing reconstruction of P&O services in a region that remains highly complex.
Mr. Pryor also represented the NCPO at a meeting of South East Asian Prosthetic and Orthotic Schools held at the Sri Lankan School of Prosthetics and Orthotics in Colombo from the 28th to the 30th of November. The meeting was attended by delegates from Australia, Cambodia, Japan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. The meeting also included representatives of the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics and the Nippon Foundation., a Non-Government Organisation (NGO) that plays a major role in financing P&O education and development in the Asian region. The group meets regularly to discuss educational issues and to coordinate developmental activities.

Posted September 2006

Associate Professor Tim Bach in front of the ISPO World Congress Booth at the 2006 Asian P&O Workshop

Associate Professor Tim Bach in front of the ISPO World Congress Booth at the 2006 Asian P&O Workshop

Dr Michael Dillon presents at the JSPO Annual Scientific Meeting while Mr. Mitsuhiko Uchida translates

Dr Michael Dillon presents at the JSPO Annual Scientific Meeting while Mr. Mitsuhiko Uchida translates

A Japanese student using the teching aids developed at the NCPO

A Japanese student using the teching aids developed at the NCPO
A New Head for the NCPO

The NCPO is very pleased to announce that Mr Rowan English has accepted appointment as Senior Lecturer and Head of the NCPO. Mr English will take up his appointment early in January, 2007.
Mr English has a long history of contribution to the Australian prosthetics and orthotics profession. He was responsible for establishing the P&O department at the Queen Elizabeth Centre, Ballarat, and led that department for twelve years. During his time, that department gain much recognition for provision of high quality services, and grew significantly in size and services provided.
Mr English left Ballarat in 2001 to take up a position as Manager of Allied Health of the La Trobe Regional Hospital (LRH). In that capacity, he was responsible for strategic and operational management of Allied Health services and Sub-acute Ambulatory Care Services. Most recently, Mr English has filled the role of Manager, Allied Health & Sub-Acute Planning at LRH.
Mr English brings to the NCPO considerable experience and expertise in management of complex, multidimensional areas of service delivery. Given the increasing number of programs offered by the NCPO, this experience should be valuable in moving the department positively into the future.
The NCPO staff welcome Mr English to the university and trust that the prosthetics and orthotics community will extend similar greetings to him when he commences work.

Posted December 2006

Farewells to NCPO Head Rod Cooper

Rod cooper and NCPO students

NCPO Students say a final farewell to former head Rod Cooper

In late July, three official events were held to farewell NCPO Head, Rod Cooper, who had resigned in late May.
NCPO students held a BBQ in the Clinic Courtyard. Organised by the P&O Student Society (POSS), the event attracted a large turnout of students and staff. POSS president Collette Nsair gave a speech thanking Rod for his contribution to the NCPO as both a gifted teacher and Head of the department. Rod responded with an emotional speech in which he thanked the students and said how much he enjoyed working with them at the NCPO. Rod was then presented with a goodbye cake, which was promptly cut up and eaten by the students!
The second event was a lavish afternoon tea attended by Rod’s family; staff from the Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Human Biosciences and NCPO; POSS representatives and higher degree students; and various members of the P&O profession. Professor Chris Handley thanked Rod on behalf of the University for his dedication to teaching and his innovative leadership, and for his participation in School social activities. Ms Margaret Hodge spoke on behalf of the NCPO staff and students. She noted Rod’s achievements in driving the NCPO expansion nationally and internationally into Japan and Cambodia. Rod played a key role in directing the transfer of NCPO curriculum into the on-line mode for distance delivery. He made major changes to the department’s financial base in order to achieve targets set at Faculty level. In general, his style was friendly and available, and students appeared comfortable to approaching him about any matter. Rod worked to become part of the department and school communities, and he will be missed by colleagues and students alike. Rod was presented with a beautiful chess set in recognition of his work at the NCPO. Rod responded with a fine speech expressing his gratitude for the opportunities the NCPO had provided and the pleasure he had gained from working for the university.
An informal dinner was the final event, which was attended by NCPO staff and their families. They met at a restaurant and shared a delicious meal, much conversation and laughter. This friendly family evening was a chance to socialise in a relaxed setting, and was very much enjoyed by all.
The NCPO greatly appreciates the contributions Rod made to P&O education and to the department, and wishes him well in his future activities.

Posted September 2006

Tim Bach Delivers Keynote Address at Japanese Conference

Tim bach at japanese conference

Left to right: Dr Eiji Tazawa, Vice-president of ISPO; Dr Ed Lemaire, Congress Chair for the ISPO 2007 World Congress; Associate Professor Tim Bach; and Mr Mitsu Uchida, Organiser of the 13th Japanese P&O Academy Conference, meet at the ISPO 2007 World Congress booth in the Trade Exhibition at the Academy Meeting.

Associate Professor Tim Bach was the keynote speaker at the 13th Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Academy of Prosthetists and Orthotists held in Osaka on June 3rd and 4th, 2006.
Dr Bach’s keynote address was titled The Biomechanics of Lower Limb Prostheses: Exploring the Myths. His paper examined the experimental evidence supporting widely held beliefs about the biomechanics of lower limb prostheses. The paper suggested that there was insufficient evidence to support many of these common clinical axioms.
Other NCPO staff members who attended the meeting were Mr Wesley Pryor and Mr Rod Cooper. Mr. Pryor presented a free paper titled The Efficacy of Amputee Gait Training: A Systematic Review which provided an overview of evidence on the effectiveness of amputee gait training methods. Mr. Cooper assisted with the conference organisation as the International Free Papers Chairman.
The Meeting, organised by Mr Mitsuhiko Uchida, principal of the Kobe College of Medical Welfare, attracted 1,400 delegates.

Posted September 2006

NCPO Facilitates Footwear Course

AMGFA Course participants watch a demonstration by Dennis Janisse

AMGFA Course participants watch a demonstration by Dennis Janisse

In early July the Australian Medical Grade Footwear Association (AMGFA) held a two week instructional course at the NCPO’s main teaching facilities.
The course covered a wide range of federal government registered competencies for footwear practitioners, including manufacturing techniques, client assessment and casting, foot pathologies, physiotherapy and rehabilitation issues.
Many guest lecturers presented material to the course, including then NCPO head Rod Cooper, who presented sessions on foot biomechanics and how the footwear and P & O professions interact.
Principal instructors were distinguished US pedorthic practitioners Dennis Janisse and his son Jeremy, who covered a variety of practical and therapeutic techniques for dealing with foot pathologies.
Principal organisers were AMGFA committee members Karl-Heinz Schott (president of the AMGFA), Clare Nelson and Caspar Ozinga.
The course is a part of the AMGFA training and certification program. Training programs were also offered in Brisbane, Sydney and Adelaide this year and it is expected that they may be offered in each state again next year. The training is a requirement of the MGF Register criteria, and many of the participants will be able to use the course credits towards their certification later this year.
The NCPO provided technical support, and access to our teaching, audio-visual, patient assessment/casting and manufacturing facilities.
Mr. Schott noted that this course was one of the final steps in a ten year process of achieving formal certification and registration of medical footwear practitioners: “We are very pleased with the outcome of this program, and would like to thank the NCPO for their contribution in making the course an outstanding success” he added.
The NCPO is able to offer other allied health groups a similar facilitation service, including access to facilities on a cost recovery basis. Interested parties should contact Steve Hockey on 03 9479 5747 or s.hockey@latrobe.edu.au.

Posted Septeber 2006

NCPO Ceremony to Acknowledge Otto Bock Donation

From left to right: NCPO Student Society President Ms Colette Nsair, Otto Bock representative Mr. Kevin Harrison, NCPO head Mr. Rod Cooper and Mr. Thomas Much, Otto Bock sales & marketing manager - Orthobionic.

The NCPO was delighted to receive a range of donated prosthetic components from Otto Bock.
The goods were given to the NCPO at a ceremony conducted on the 24th of April at which NCPO staff and students shared lunch with visiting Otto Bock personnel. Representing Otto Bock at the ceremony were Mr Thomas Much and Mr Kevin Harrison.
During the ceremony NCPO Student Society President Ms Colette Nsair thanked Otto Bock for their generous donation expressing how appreciative students are of being able to access advanced components through company donations as part of their NCPO education. (See Curriculum Corner, on page three)
Mr Much responded on behalf of Otto Bock. He highlighted the fact that over $35,000 worth of products were being donated. He reconfirmed Otto Bock’s commitment to assisting NCPO students with their education.
The donated products included a wide range of Otto Bock’s advanced knee units, silicon liners, tools and prosthetic feet.
The ceremony concluded with a social lunch and further gifts to NCPO students of Otto Bock back packs and product information.
The NCPO uses many donated components in its prosthetic and orthotic educational programs. In some cases, this is the only way students can get experience in using advanced technologies. Details of companies who have donated to the NCPO are available on our website at: www.latrobe.edu.au/ncpo/sponsors.
If your company is interested in making donations to the NCPO or arranging events with NCPO students, please contact NCPO Head on 03 9479 5787.

Posted June 2006

NCPO Staff Visit to B. P&O Upgrade Students in Cambodia

NCPO staff member Wes Pryor (centre) with the Cambodian B. P&O student cohort

NCPO Lecturer Wesley Pryor has recently visited the group of 12 students currently upgrading their Cat-II level qualification to La Trobe’s Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics. Based in Phnom Penh, the group of students from Laos, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and of course Cambodia, have been studying since January and have already passed several units.
“The students are progressing well using their distance-based resources” said Wes. “We have used a combination of DVD-lectures, online text-based resources, quizzes and rich-multimedia,” he added. “Watching these resources in action and seeing how we can make our delivery of materials in this way even stronger was very valuable”.
The students are supported by the Cambodia School of Prosthetics and Orthotics, who has facilitated the necessary infrastructure and supplied a ‘mentor’ for the students.
From the outset, the NCPOs upgrade course was intended to recognise the prior learning of this group of students, who have many years of clinical experience. The NCPO tailored a course that took their skills into account. It is heavily based on academic writing and advanced P&O skills. For this reason, Wes made several demonstrations about literature retrieval and analysis, as well as several ad-hoc technical sessions.
“The students have shown that the relative novelty of the learning style for them, as well as the complexity of some of the writing we are asking them to do, are challenging, but that they are more than capable of overcoming those challenges.” The students are being examined to the same standard as domestic students and so far the results have been quite strong.
“As we progress, we are learning that some teaching and learning resources are better than some others from the students’ perspective. Clearly, though, their skills and the technology available to us put us in a strong position to offer training that is genuinely equitable with that offered on-campus” Wes said.
The students will visit La Trobe over summer 06/07 for clinical and technical work. The upgrade course will conclude after semester 1, 2007. It is hoped that these students will assume leadership roles in their own countries.

Posted June 2006

NCPO Appoints Visiting International Japanese Research Fellow

The NCPO is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Shinya Sekikawa, PhD, as an honorary visiting research fellow. Dr Sekikawa will spend 12 months at La Trobe University on secondment from his home institution, Tohoku Fukushi University in Japan where he is an Associate Professor in the Social Welfare and Human Well-being Department.
In addition to his qualifications in Prosthetics and Orthotics, Dr Sekikawa holds a Bachelor of Science Engineering, Human Factor Engineering for the Disabled, from Tokyo University of Science, a Masters of Science Engineering, Biomechanics for the Disabled, from Waseda University, and a Doctor of Medical Science, Exercise Physiology for the Disabled, from Tohoku University.
His areas of research expertise include physical aids for the disabled and amputee gait and he has published numerous journal articles and books on areas relating to the Biomechanics of Prosthetic and Orthotic devices.
During his time at the NCPO Dr Sekikawa will provide lectures to NCPO students and collaborate with NCPO staff research.
“I have come to Australia to learn about how the people in other countries work in the area of Prosthetics and Orthotics” said Dr Sekikawa. “I am interested in Australia, because I love the country and its people and I would like to know more about the NCPO education system”.
It is a great honor for the NCPO to host this eminent Japanese researcher and we look forward to sharing our knowledge and mutual learning during his stay.

Posted June 2006
NCPO Invited to Teach Ischial Containment in Japan

The National Centre for Prosthetics and Orthotics was invited to deliver an ischial containment unit to undergraduate prosthetics and orthotics students at Kobe College of Medical Welfare in Japan. Dr. Michael Dillon created and delivered a thirteen day curriculum involving lectures, tutorials, demonstrations and practical classes in which students developed a theoretical understanding of ischial containment socket design as well as the clinical skills necessary to begin working in this area after graduation.
In addition to teaching basic clinical skills such as assessment, casting and fitting, the program was aimed at challenging students to think critically about what prosthetists do; a skill well embedded in Australian prosthetics and orthotics education, but quite a novel educational expereince for Japanese undergraduates. As an illustrative example, lectures critiqued the work by people like Ivan Long and John Sabolich which became the catalyst for the ischial containment socket design. Some tutorial sessions focused on differences in coronal plane alignment principles which have become synonymous with either the quadrilateral and ischial containment socket design, to determine whether these differing approaches affect amputee gait.
The program was well received by both staff and students of Kobe College and also received acclaim from members of the profession and professional bodies. Students enjoyed the different teaching approaches, particularly the tutorials, which are not commonly utilised in Japanese education.
The National Centre for Prosthetic and Orthotics sincerely thank Kobe College of Medical Welfare for the invitation to teach in Japan as well as the staff and volunteers who assisted in making the program such a success.
If you would like to find out more about the ischial containment course, please contact Michael Dillon on 03 9479 5889 or via email: michael.dillon@latrobe.edu.au.

Posted March 2006

Michael Dillon advises a Kobe student

The staff and students of Kobe College who participated in the Ischial Containment course

NCPO Writing Skills Matrix Applauded

Late last year, the NCPO was invited to present the innovative NCPO Writing Skills Matrix at the inaugural Staff Development Seminar for the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS). Ms Mara Pavlidis, FHS Language & Academic Skills Advisor, extended the invitation because she considered the NCPO to be leading the Faculty in the teaching of writing skills, and identified the matrix as unique in health science education to date. It was an honour for the NCPO to receive the invitation. Staff had put much time and effort into developing expertise in writing tuition, and appreciated their work being recognised in this manner.
Ms Margaret Hodge, NCPO Lecturer and Curriculum Coordinator, had acted as team leader during development of the matrix, and made the presentation on behalf of her colleagues. She explained the rationale for the matrix creation, summarised the development process implemented over three years, presented the latest matrix with examples, and discussed how the matrix had influenced writing tuition within the B.P&O curriculum. Seminar participants then engaged in discussion of the matrix and of health science student writing skills education in a broader sense.
The NCPO Writing Skills Matrix encourages skill development on a number of levels through the 3.5 year undergraduate degree and the 4 year honours degree. Skills are defined and are introduced systematically, beginning with foundation tasks and working up to advanced or difficult skills. Skill standard increases throughout the four years. Matrix forms provide students with clear guidelines about expectations in written work, and offer detailed feedback about achievements. Tutorials focussing on key writing skills are included in all years.
With these developments, NCPO staff members are confident that P&O graduates attain a writing ability appropriate for an undergraduate degree, which will allow them to contribute to the professional literature or workplace reports once they join the profession.
Academic staff from schools and departments within the FHS, and from the University Language Centre, attended the seminar. Participants commended the NCPO on the writing matrix and rated the seminar very highly. They valued learning about the model underpinning the development of writing ability, and the clear articulation of writing skills for each year level provided by the matrix. “It was lovely for the matrix to be so well received, particularly by the professional linguists in the audience,” Ms. Hodge said.
Since the seminar, academics from various schools and departments have sought access to the writing matrix for use in their programs, and one has worked to create a similar system to address physiology practical exercises. Further information about the NCPO Writing Skills Matrix can be gained from Margaret Hodge, email: M.Hodge@latrobe.edu.au or phone: 03 9479 5778.

Posted March 2006

A Flying Visit to Japan

The Japan Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (JOPA) invited NCPO lecturer Les Barnes to provide a seminar on Transtibial Socket Designs and Problem Solving Methods in February 2006. During the 6 day trip to Japan, he visited 2 P&O Companies, did some sightseeing, gave a lecture to P&O students at Kobe College and presented the seminar (lecture & demonstration) to Japanese P&O professionals and students.
Originally planned for 60 delegates, 150 students and practicing P&O professionals turned up to attend the five hour lecture/demonstration session. To meet such a huge demand, seminar organisers set up 4 video cameras and screens so that all the attendees could view the proceedings. With the room having a seating capacity of 120, there were many delegates who had to stand throughout the presentations.
The seminar covered the theory of transtibial socket designs, demonstrations of 3 different transtibial hand casts on a transtibial amputee and a transtibial socket problem solving session.
A JOPA dinner after the seminar was attended by leading Japanese P&O professionals including Heihachi Inagaki (JOPA President) and Dr Seishi Sawamura (past president of ISPO international).
A highlight of the trip included visiting two Japanese P&O Companies. The Kawamura Rehabilitation Company is based in Osaka and employs 250 P&Os. It provides a massive range of custom and off-the-shelf rehab equipment. It has many regional offices throughout Japan. The generous Kawamura Company welcome included hoisting the Australian flag outside, displaying a notice of the “Honoured Les Barnes Visit” in the foyer, a three hour comprehensive guided tour by owner Kei Kawamura, and lunch in the staff canteen. The huge 3 story head office covered about one acre.
A smaller company in Kyoto called Ohi Manufacturing employed about 10 P&O staff and this facility was smaller and more crowded. After lunch in a local restaurant, Les assisted treating a transtibial amputee who was having suspension problems.
Les and the NCPO would like to thank the JOPA organisers and especially the wonderful hosting of Mr. Mitsuhiko Uchida. Les found the trip “to be very interesting and an enlightening experience.”

Posted March 2006

 

Some of the delegates at the Transtibial Socket Design and Problem Solving Seminar in Yokahama.
Les Barnes and Mitsuhiko Uchida are in the centre. (Les on the right)
NCPO Attends Regional Educators Meeting

 

A photo of delegates attending the Prosthetic and Orthotic Strategic Schools Meeting. NCPO head Rod Cooper is on the back row, third from right.

The NCPO was privileged to attend the Prosthetic and Orthotic Strategic Schools Meeting held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia during September. The meeting featured delegates from educational institutions in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, Pakistan, Cambodia, Australia, Hong Kong and Malaysia as well as representatives from the International Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics and the Nippon Foundation.
The meeting was hosted by the Cambodian School of Prosthetics and Orthotics and delegates were funded by the Japanese Nippon Foundation, a Non Government Organisation that plays a major role in financing P&O education and development in the Asian region.
“The meeting was a fantastic chance to meet with other education providers in the region and gain a deeper understanding of each others programs” commented NCPO delegate Mr Rod Cooper. “We compared our programs and educational objectives as well as national clinical practices. I believe that this, and future meetings of the group, should lead to further positive collaboration in education in our region”.
The next meeting of this group is scheduled for November 2006 to be held in Sri Lanka.

Posted Dec 2005
NCPO at the Sydney ISPO 2005 ASM

he ISPO Australia Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) in Sydney. Staff members Les Barnes, Tim Bach, Rod Cooper, Michael Dillon, Margaret Hodge and Wes Pryor attended the meeting, as well as 20 NCPO undergraduate and postgraduate students. Nine free papers and one poster were presented by NCPO staff and/or students, one NCPO paper received a prize, and NCPO staff chaired some sessions of the meeting.
The George Carter New Investigator Prize was awarded to NCPO Honours student Renée Downie, for her paper: “Development of an instrument to explore the behavioural role of the Australian prosthetist in clinical practice”. The paper was co-authored by Renée’s honours supervisors NCPO Lecturer Margaret Hodge and La Trobe University School of Public Health Professor Greg Murphy.
Dr Richard Baker was the keynote speaker at the ASM. Dr Baker is an expert in clinical gait analysis, manages the gait laboratory at the Royal Children’s Hospital and is leader of a Gait Research Centre, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Melbourne. He provided a fascinating keynote address about interpretation and application of gait data in clinical practice. Four NCPO staff co-presented the Gait workshop with Dr Baker, La Trobe University Biomechanist David Orr and University of Sydney Biomechanist Damien O’Meara.
Three NCPO staff members were heavily involved in ISPO Australia business activities during the meeting. Margaret Hodge was the President of ISPO Australia, Wes Pryor is the Secretary and Michael Dillon is Chair of the Science and Education Committee. As the executive is made up of people from most Australian states and territories it usually meets via teleconferencing. The ASM provided an opportunity for face-to-face meetings of the executive and sub-committees. NCPO staff also participated in AOPA events during the meeting.
In addition to working at the ASM, NCPO staff welcomed the chance to discuss issues with various speakers and delegates and to develop valuable links with the profession.

Posted Dec 2005

NCPO Honours student Renée Downie is presented with her prize by ISPO Australia Chairman Margaret Hodge

 

 

 
2005 Student Research Symposium

The Annual Student Research Symposium was held on October 31, 2005. Current students presented the results of their honours research and Independent Study Projects in the symposium. Five honours projects and five third year projects were presented.
Again, about half of the third year students completed a series of Clinical Challenges delivered in a Web-assisted format instead of undertaking a research or development project. Only students who completed a research or development project presented their work during the symposium.
A number of prosthetists and orthotists from local facilities attended at least part of the Symposium. We appreciate the contribution these professionals made to the discussion during question time and during breaks in proceedings. We also appreciate the support of P&O facilities in making time available for their staff to attend the Symposium.
A closing reception was generously sponsored by Reis Orthopaedic and Surgical Services. We gratefully acknowledge Helmuth and Sue Reis for their support of the social aspect of our Symposium over the past six years.
A list of the topics, investigators and supervisors is available on the NCPO web site (www.latrobe.edu.au/ncpo/docs/seminar.html). Anyone who is interested in additional information about any of the topics should contact the NCPO.
The Symposium has established itself as a day of excellent P&O research. The next Student Research Symposium will be held on Monday, October 30, 2006. Prosthetists, orthotists and professionals in related areas are welcome to attend.

Posted Dec 2005

 

 
NCPO Student wins Faculty Medal

Ms Aileen Ibuki, a P&O honours graduate in 2004 was awarded the David Myers University Medal at the University Prizes Ceremony on August 5th. The D M Myers University Medal is awarded annually to the outstanding undergraduate student graduating in each Faculty (usually an honours graduate). The medallion was donated by the first Vice-Chancellor of La Trobe University, Dr David Myers, CMG.
Aileen completed the honours year of her Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics degree with a thesis on orthotic treatment of muscle spasticity aimed at helping patients with such conditions as cerebral palsy, stroke or head injury. She used electrical stimulation of nerves to determine whether changes in orthosis shape or materials in particular areas of the ankle and foot could affect the excitability of their reflexes. Her work challenged a number of current theories of spasticity management. On the basis of her honours research, she received an Australian Postgraduate Award and is currently continuing with research towards her doctorate.

Posted Sep 2005

Left to right: Rod Cooper, Head of the NCPO, Aileen Ibuki and Stephen Duckett, Dean of Health Sciences
NCPO Study Tour to Thailand and Cambodia

The NCPO facilitated an international study tour, giving its students an insider’s view of the global context of prosthetics and orthotics practice. A group of students recently returned from Thailand and Cambodia where they visited a number of P&O teaching institutions and facilities.
In Bangkok, the group was hosted by Mahidol University at their main campus and then the teaching hospital where the 3rd year of the P&O program is located. NCPO and Mahidol students were able to meet and discuss their courses. They were then shown the teaching labs by Mr. Jim Lavranos, NCPO graduate, who teaches the 3rd year program at Mahidol.
The group then flew to Siem Riep in Cambodia, and toured the Angkor Wat complex in searing heat and monsoonal rain. Then, they headed for Battambang with the intention of visiting the ICRC rehabilitation centre. A 5 hour boat ride, though, quickly became 13 gruelling hours and the visit was delayed. However, the next day, they were hosted by the centre’s director, Mr. Joël Nininger. The ICRC takes an active role in documenting important aetiological and demographic data, and the group was able to learn of the unique characteristics of P&O practice in the Battambang area, which was one of the most heavily mined regions in Cambodia. Mr. Nininger was able to offer some personal insights into P&O work from the viewpoint of an expatriate with many years experience in Cambodia.
After Battambang, they headed for Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, an uneventful 5 hour bus ride away. The group was moved by a visit to the killing fields, which was the site of unspeakable atrocities during the reign of the Khmer Rouge. The group then toured the Cambodian School of Prosthetics and Orthotics with their peers at that school, before meeting the students who will participate in the NCPO’s upgrade program beginning in January next year. This gave the cohort of upgrade students an opportunity to meet some of their new colleagues, and learn more about teaching and learning in Australia. Wes Pryor, NCPO International Lecturer, then introduced the upgrade students to the NCPOs emerging distance learning environment.
The study tour has added a new dimension to teaching and learning at the NCPO, and recognises the differences and similarities in P&O practice in different countries in our region. It is hoped that the study tour will be repeated in future years.

Posted Sep 2005

NCPO and Mahidol P&O staff and students students at Mahidol’s teaching hospital in Bangkok. The group were greeted by Director of the program, Dr. Kamontip (left, front), and Mr. Jim Lavranos, (4th from left, main group.) The NCPO students were Oliver Keen (3rd year, 2nd from left main group), Shanelle Whitson (5th from left), Elizabeth Murrell (2nd year, 10th from left, 2nd row), Ella Nicholson (3rd year, 6th from right, at front), Andrew Jolly (1st year, 3rd from right, front)

 

 

 
NCPO Head Invited to Teach in Japan

During the mid semester break the Head of the NCPO, Mr. Rod Cooper was invited to Kobe College of Medical Welfare, Japan to teach their second year P&O students. Mr. Cooper delivered a series of lectures and practical classes on Orthotic Fracture Management, and Foot Orthotic management. “It was interesting to see how different orthotic practices are in Japan, especially in the area of foot orthotic assessment and provision” reported Mr. Cooper.
When discussing his teaching of the Japanese students Mr. Cooper commented “It was challenging to try and teach Japanese P&O students about these areas as our NCPO teaching style involves constantly challenging the student’s knowledge and asking them to justify their practices based upon this knowledge. This initially seemed to be quite confronting to the students.” “It was pleasing to note that towards the end of the classes, students began to ask more questions, verbalise their knowledge and challenge some of their previous thinking in this area.” he concluded.
In addition to his teaching at Kobe College, Mr. Cooper also presented seminars to professional groups on Australian P&O education and foot orthosis provision. The visit further strengthened the relationship between Kobe College of Medical Welfare and La Trobe University. It is anticipated that more collaboration with other La Trobe University disciplines such as Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy could be developed in the near future.

Posted Sep 2005

NCPO Head Rod Cooper advises a Japanese P & O student during a fracture management class

 

 

New Amputee Group Visits the NCPO

In April the NCPO was visited by representatives from Limbs 4 Life, a group developed to provide peer support and advocacy for amputees. The representatives toured the NCPO facility and were provided with information about the undergraduate education program by NCPO staff.
Limbs 4 Life Inc. is a not-for-profit organisation that aims to assist amputees to make the journey through rehabilitation to independent living by providing information and support. Losing a limb can be a frightening and challenging experience for amputees and their families, and Limbs 4 Life hopes to ease the burden of this experience by sharing knowledge and information and providing access to trained Peer Support / Hospital Visitor Workers.
Limbs 4 Life founder, Ms. Melissa Noonan, reported that Limbs 4 Life was incorporated in October 2004, after much research and development. “Its aim is to provide assistance to amputees and their primary care givers via our Hospital Visitors Peer Support Program and website (www.limbs4life.com)” she said. “The team at Limbs 4 Life is dedicated to enhance the lives of amputees and assist with their transition back into independent community living”. Melissa experienced an above the knee amputation in 2003. “After I lost my leg, I was concerned that I would never regain my pre-accident independence and be reliant on the assistance of others for the rest of my life. Over time I learned that this wouldn’t be the case, however I wish that I had been connected to an organisation or fellow amputee who could have told me that a lot earlier in my recovery”, For more information contact Melissa on 0402 036 735 or email: info@limbs4life.com

Posted June 2005

Melissa Noonan

Melissa Noonan, Founder of Limbs 4 Life during her visit to the NCPO

 

NCPO Continues to Develop Web Based Teaching

The NCPO recently implemented a web based Learning Management System (LMS) in which all P&O units have individual websites. While these are primarily used for staff contacts, assignment submissions and lecture notes, they are increasingly used for distance-based lectures and other teaching material.
Most P&O professionals now understand the power of the web for professional communication and information-sharing. At the beginning of 1st semester, the NCPO implemented a new website, which replaced the P&O student pages that many alumni may remember. The new site is a central forum for all enrolled P&O students and staff, and features course related documentation, an email facility, chat room, as well as a number of discussion forums.
Recently, the website was renamed ‘the Panacea’ after a student competition to name the site. The name reflects the students’ perception that for all problems, the ‘panacea’ probably has the answer.The inclusion of this new course-wide site adds a communication medium between students across the whole course. It has been used to arrange social events, plan a study tour, and disseminate writing help sheets, and acts as a general resource for students.

 

A screenshot of our new student hub

 

As of the end of Semester 1, 240 posts had been made to the discussion forum. Some students had used the site as often as 500 times, demonstrating that students are finding considerable value in the site and its forums.

Posted June 2005

 

NCPO and QUT in Collaborative Research Project

Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Medical Engineering student Sarah Sydney visited the NCPO in March. She came to complete a pilot study measuring axial motion of the femoral remnant inside transfemoral suction sockets using ultrasound.
The aim of the research was to explore the feasibility of producing a system capable of measuring how much the femoral remnant is moving axially inside transfemoral suction sockets during walking. Hopefully, this tool will allow clinicians to evaluate the quality of the socket suspension against some baseline obtained from well fitting suction sockets.
The concept was first coined by Professor John Evans (QUT) and later involved Dr Michael Dillon during his time as a PhD student at QUT. This research collaboration has allowed Sarah to capitalise on expertise and services available at both QUT and the NCPO.
During the pilot study, an ultrasound probe was attached to the bottom of a check socket (Right) to track the position of the end of the femur in weight bearing and non-weight bearing conditions. The technique was tested on two volunteers. Problems were encountered when the ultrasound probe failed to pick up a signal from the end of the femur, despite promising laboratory results.
Sarah is working on refining the ultrasound equipment design with the hope of conducting further clinical trials later in the year. She is also investigating how the shape of the femoral end changes following amputation as this is likely to affect how the ultrasound signal is reflected of the bone.
Sarah is extremely grateful to the staff and volunteers at the NCPO for their help and participation in this project. If you would like further information about the project, please contact Michael Dillon.
Email: michael.dillon@latrobe.edu.au

Ultrasound device

Sagittal plane view of a transfemoral suction socket supported within an Otto Bock Haberman frame. The ultrasound transducer is held in position at the bottom of the socket using a custom made clamp system.

Posted June 2005

 

NCPO Graduates First Japanese Upgrade Student

A graduation event to acknowledge the first graduate of the NCPO’s upgrade program, Miss Akie Ono, was held by the NCPO in January.
Miss Ono, a 2003 graduate of the prosthetics and orthotics course at Kobe College of Medical and Welfare, Japan, and licensed Japanese practitioner, completed the upgrade course at the NCPO during 2004. She becomes the first Japanese graduate to have received the La Trobe Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics Degree.
Present at the ceremony with NCPO staff and students were Kobe College directors Ms Machiko Saito and Mr Mitsuhiko Uchida and honorary president of the College Dr Seishi Sawamura.
In a speech at the ceremony Miss Ono acknowledged the support of her fellow students and the assistance of NCPO staff and her home stay family during her study. Miss Ono is now applying for positions at Australian facilities.
The NCPO currently has three other Japanese graduates undertaking the upgrade course and has accepted enrolments from another four applicants to undertake the course in 2005.

Posted March 2005

Kobe graduate Akie Ono

Miss Ono’s graduation presentation: Left to Right: Mr Mitsuhiko Uchida, Ms Machiko Saito, Miss Akie Ono, Mr. Rod Cooper and Dr Seishi Sawamura.
NCPO Distance Education Developments

The NCPO is continuing to develop teaching materials in a diverse range of formats to both on campus and distance based students. We can offer a variety of delivery options including customised continuing education and upgrade courses to suit the needs of the recipients. A large number of units are also available to take as stand alone subjects via distance education.

Topics include:

  • Introduction to P & O clinical practice
  • Patient Evaluation
  • Orthotic Management of Fractures
  • Independent Study Project

Specialised lectures on prosthetic and orthotic related topics, technical guides and practical teaching resources are also available. For further information please have a look at our new distance education web page:

www.latrobe.edu.au/ncpo/docs/disted.html, or follow the links from our home page:

www.latrobe.edu.au/ncpo.

Direct enquiries can be made to Wes Pryor on (03) 9479 5729 OR Email: w.pryor@latrobe.edu.au

Posted March 2005
Wes Pryor Visits India and Cambodia

International Aid Lecurer Wes Pryor recently returned from a visit to Northern India and Cambodia. In India the NCPO was invited to discuss continuing education for prosthetics and orthotics. Wes met with a number of agencies to consider this challenge. “ P&O education in India is very strong.” Said Mr. Pryor. “P&O practitioners and schools are required to register with the Rehabilitation Council of India, and must undertake fairly stringent accreditation processes.” Although local training in P & O is very strong, some agencies have recognised that international collaborations and increased training, especially in research in P&O, may be highly valuable for Indian P&O professionals. “The challenge is how to best integrate the skills of Indian and Australian P&O training facilities.” The NCPO and Indian professionals will continue to explore this challenge in coming months. While in Cambodia, Mr. Pryor met with the Cambodian School of Prosthetics and Orthotics, to discuss the upgrade course to be taken by a number of CSPO graduates. “The course, which begins in January 2006, is taking shape, and we met to finalise the curriculum and address a few challenges”. While in Phnom Penh, Mr. Pryor met a number of the students who will begin the course in January. “The students are from four countries with a diverse range of professional experiences. As graduates of the CSPO program, they are ISPO Cat. II accredited, and in addition must have a number of years professional experience. Their inclusion in our course will provide enormous benefits for other students. They are a very friendly and professional group of students, and will be very welcome at the NCPO and La Trobe University next year.”

Posted march 2005

NCPO Volunteer Patients Recognised at Ceremony.
On Thursday 28th of October, a BBQ was held for all the volunteer patients who have participated in the NCPO teaching programs. At that BBQ, certificates were presented by Professor Stephen Duckett to those patients who had provided five or ten years voluntary service, giving their time to act as subjects for the NCPO teaching program. In a short speech, Professor Duckett praised the work of the many volunteers and acknowledged that without them, the NCPO would not be able to provide the high level of clinically based learning that our students enjoy. All of the attending 24 certificate recipients were delighted with acknowledgement of their valuable contribution to the NCPO teaching program. A few of the volunteers have been participating in the teaching program since before the NCPO moved from the Carlton Campus in 1997. They were pleased to have the opportunity to meet other volunteers who they would normally not see. Many of the volunteers were surprised by the number and range of disabilities that participated in our program. There were 8 volunteers from the lower limb orthotics program and 16 from the lower limb prosthetics teaching program who enjoyed the opportunity to share experiences with people who had different disabilities. NCPO students from all years and all teaching staff enjoyed the pleasant conversation and relaxed atmosphere of the lunch time BBQ. There were a total of 42 volunteer patients who were eligible for either a five year of ten year certificate and those volunteers who were not able to attend, have been sent their certificates in the mail.
The NCPO is always interested in hearing from people who use prosthetic or orthotic devices and are interested in becoming a volunteer. Please call Barbara at the HS Clinic on 9479 5831

Professor Duckett presents an award

La Trobe’s Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) and Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Professor Stephen Duckett, presents a certificate to volunteer Bruno Moretti while staff, students and other volunteers look on.

 

 

 

 

Posted December 2004
Japanese Students Visit NCPO
A group of 23 prosthetic and orthotic students from Kobe College of Medical Welfare Japan were recently hosted by the NCPO. The students spent one week at the NCPO attending classes with NCPO students, presenting research papers and participating in educational tutorials to gain a greater understanding of P&O education in Australia. The group also attended the Austin Health Prosthetics and Orthotics department to investigate the service delivery model and facilities of an Australian clinic.
This annual visit by the Japanese students also provides our domestic students with an opportunity to learn more about prosthetic and orthotic practices in another country and to compare their educational experiences.		 Students from Kobe College
Posted Dec 2004
Kobe College of Medical Welfare students provided some post BBQ entertainment during their visit to the NCPO
2005 Student Research Symposium
The Annual Student Research Symposium was held on November 1, 2004. In the symposium, students presented the results of their honours research and Independent Study Projects.
The symposium program was smaller than in previous years because of the changes to the third year subject, Independent Study Project. This year, about half of the third year students completed a series of Clinical Challenges delivered in a Web-assisted format. Only students who completed a research or development project presented their work during the symposium.
A number of prosthetists and orthotists from local facilities attended at least part of the Symposium. We appreciate the contribution these professionals made to the discussion during question time and during breaks in proceedings. We also appreciate the support of P&O facilities in making time available for their staff to attend the Symposium.
A closing reception at the conclusion of the Symposium was sponsored by Reis Orthopaedic and Surgical Services. We gratefully acknowledge Helmuth and Sue Reis for their support of the social aspect of our Symposium over the past five years.
A list of the topics, investigators and supervisors is available on the NCPO web page: www.latrobe.edu.au/ncpo/seminar.html. Anyone who is interested in additional information about any of the topics should contact the NCPO.
The Symposium has established itself as a day of excellent P&O research. The next Student Research Symposium will be held on Monday, October 31, 2005. Prosthetists, orthotists and professionals in related areas are welcome to attend.
Posted December 2004  
NCPO Students Receive Academic Awards

Seven NCPO students were recently presented with awards in recognition of their 2003 academic achievement. The awards were presented at the La Trobe University Annual Presentation of Awards and Prizes ceremony. Recipients of awards were:
Emily Graham – Australian Orthopaedic Association Prize; awarded to the most outstanding second year student.
Evanthios Tamanas – Australian Orthotic and Prosthetic Association Inc. (Victorian Section) Prize; awarded to the most outstanding first year student.
Wesley Pryor – E.H. Armstrong Prize for services to Lower Limb Amputees; awarded to recognize contributions to amputees through a research project.
Lee Brentnall – Hans Georg Nader Prize; awarded for the highest overall result in honours year.
Rachel Imison – International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) Prize; awarded to the most outstanding third year student.
Maree Heritage and Renee Downie – joint recipients – Robert Gardner Memorial Prize; awarded for best result in the third year subject independent study project.
The university gratefully acknowledges the support of all the prize donors and would like to especially thank Mr. Kevin Harrison (representing Otto Bock) and Mr. Gavin Burchall (representing AOPA) for their attendance at the ceremony. Congratulations to these students upon their outstanding achievements.

Posted September 2004

 

Kevin Harrison and Lee Brentnall

Mr. Kevin Harrison, left, representing Otto Bock Healthcare, and Ms. Lee Brentnall at the NCPO Awards Ceremony
NCPO teaching in Japan

In June the Head of the NCPO, Mr. Rod Cooper was invited to Kobe College of Medical Welfare, Japan to present lectures and practical teaching to P & O students.
Mr. Cooper delivered a series of lectures on Orthotic Fracture Management, an area which had not previously been taught in detail at the Kobe School.
“ It was interesting to see how different orthotic practices are in this area in Japan” reported Mr. Cooper. “In many ways it would seem that Japanese practices are very conservative and that other medical professionals dictate the orthotic management process”.
When discussing his teaching of the Japanese students Mr. Cooper commented “It was challenging to try and teach Japanese P & O students about developments in orthotic fracture treatment practices as their thinking seems confined to how they should prepare themselves to undertake their role within the Japanese system.” “It was pleasing to note that towards the end of the three week class students began to ask more questions and challenge some of their previous teaching in this area.”
Practical teaching involved manufacture of various fracture orthoses using both Australian and Japanese methods. “I was most impressed with the technical In addition to his teaching at Kobe College Mr. Cooper also presented seminars to professional groups on Australian P & O education, Orthotic fracture management and foot orthosis provision.

Posted September 2004

Rod Cooper and japanese student

NCPO head Rod Cooper advises a Japanese P & O student at Kobe College of Medical Welfare.

This visit further strengthened the relationship between Kobe College of Medical Welfare and La Trobe University. It is anticipated that more collaboration with other areas of the University such as Physiotherapy and Orthoptics will be developed in the near future.abilities of the Japanese students” commented Mr. Cooper. “Their finishing and attention to detail is definitely superior to that of our NCPO students and would rival that of experienced practitioners.”

In addition to his teaching at Kobe College Mr. Cooper also presented seminars to professional groups on Australian P & O education, Orthotic fracture management and foot orthosis provision.
This visit further strengthened the relationship between Kobe College of Medical Welfare and La Trobe University. It is anticipated that more collaboration with other areas of the University such as Physiotherapy and Orthoptics will be developed in the near future.
NCPO International Aid Lectureship

Earlier this year, La Trobe University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Michael Osborne, agreed to fund an International Aid Lectureship in response to the continuing need for ongoing P&O education in non-industrialised countries. Mr. Wesley Pryor, a Ph.D. candidate and sessional Lecturer at the NCPO was seconded to the role on a fractional basis.
“ The NCPO has already established itself as a leading provider of continuing education through distance-mode upgrades for diploma holders and our increasing involvement with international students” Wes said. “This lectureship allows us to consolidate and build on those skills and make them accessible to students in regions where the need for quality P&O services is very high.”
Since his appointment in April, Wes has been collaborating with the Cambodian School of Prosthetics on a project to upgrade a cohort of their graduates to BPO qualifications. The NCPO will work towards a solution that will allow graduates to assume leadership in their country and to provide quality care into the future. The scope of this lectureship is not limited to Cambodia. “Ongoing education in regions with underdeveloped P&O services has traditionally been considered less important than providing clinical services, and that’s probably fair enough. We are still working on a few different models, and we hope to reduce the financial and geographical limitations to quality P&O training. This should serve to reprioritise education and result in better services, provided by local staff, where they are needed most.”

Posted June 2004

Wes Pryor

New International Aid lecturer Wes Pryor
Premier’s Recognition for Cerebral Palsy Research

Roslyn Boyd, a PhD student at the NCPO, has won a Commendation in the 2004 Premier’s Award for Medical Research. The award is based on doctoral thesis research and was established to reward excellence in Victoria’s young researchers. Ms. Boyd’s thesis examined the effects of botulinum toxin, commonly known as botox, in children with cerebral palsy. After injection into a muscle, botox causes partial paralysis and reduces the spasticity common in children with CP. Ms Boyd’s research demonstrated that botox, in combination with intensive upper limb training, improved upper limb function more than training alone. Results of the study showed that botox affected more than the muscle itself. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI) suggested that the reduced spasticity after botox injection facilitated brain reorganisation and learning. Because of this, the beneficial effects of treatment may persist well after the effect of the drug itself wears off. The research was carried out at La Trobe University, The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute at Royal Children’s Hospital and the Brain Imaging Research Institute at the Austin Hospital. Associate Professor Tim Bach of the NCPO and Professor Meg Morris of the School of Physiotherapy supervised the thesis. The award was made by the Premier, Mr. Steve Bracks, during a ceremony at Government House attended by Governor John Landy and many leaders of the Victorian medical research community. The award consists of a certificate and an $8,000 cash prize. One winner and three commendees are named each year.

Posted June 2004

Steve Bracks and Roslyn Boyd

Victorian Premier Steve Bracks presenting the award to Roslyn Boyd.

(Photo: Mark Farelly, © Department of Premier and Cabinet, Government of Victoria. Used with permission.)
POSS Makes Donation to Vietnamese Rehab Hospital

Lee Brentnall presents cheque

Left to right: Professor Cao Minh Chau, Professor Nguyen Xuan Nghien, and Lee Brentnall from POSS

Posted March 2004
2003 was a busy year for POSS (Prosthetics and Orthotics Student Society). One of the highlights of POSS activities for the year would have to be our fundraising efforts led by Lee Brental. The money was raised for the Bach Mai Paediatrics Hospital and the work of the Vietnam Veterans of America foundation at the hospital. A bands night held at the Queensbury Hotel in Carlton was the main fundraising event, showcasing many talented students. The money that the bands night raised was given a helping hand from the POSS piggy bank.
The presentation was made during the ispo2003 ASM in November 2003. Prosthetic and orthotic students were pleased to present the money to Professor Cao Minh Chau, the director of the Prosthetic and Orthotic Unit, and Professor Nguyen Xuan Nghien, head of the Rehabilitation Department. The Professors were extremely grateful for the contribution, which will go toward improving the Prosthetic and Orthotic services provided by the hospital.
2003 ISPO Workshop

2003 ispo workshop participants

The 2003 ISPO Workshop participants

Posted March 2004
The November 2003 Annual Conference of Australian ISPO Pre-conference Workshop was attended by more than 40 delegates who took the opportunity to meet the legendary character and father of prosthetic biomechanics, Professor Charles Radcliffe.
The workshop was divided into two sections. The first session (in the morning) was devoted to a detailed analysis and comparison of Four Bar Linkage (4BL) systems where a computer program developed by Professor Radfcliffe was used to compare linkage length and alignment of 6 common knee units. These were related to the swing of the limb(the centrode) and the Hosmer Spectrum 4BL knee (designed by Professor Radcliffe) was presented. From his computer program he was able to analyse in detail the 4BL knees. The morning session finished up with a demonstration of two volunteer patients who showed the use of the Hosmer Spectrum Knee.
The second session was a practical session for clinicians where the Hosmer Spectrum knee was re-aligned, swing control adjusted and a clinical analysis of the gait was discussed. Trials of the 4BL prostheses were carried out over rough terrain, slopes and stairs to demonstrate the control achieved by the volunteer patients.
All participants felt that the workshop was valuable and interesting.
NCPO Hosts ISPO Australia Conference

The 2003 Annual Scientific Meeting of the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics, Australian National Member Society, was held from 27-29th November. The meeting was hosted by the NCPO and held at La Trobe University.
The event was a tremendous success and was attended by 160 local, interstate and international delegates and featured a combination of podium presentations, tele presentations workshops, poster presentations and trade exhibits.
The keynote speaker was Professor Charles Radcliffe, Professor Emeritus, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California Berkley who delivered his key address on “Biomechanics of Lower Extremity Socket Fitting”. Other major presentation themes included Pediatrics, P&O education and Outreach, Professional Development, and Stance Phase Orthoses as well as an instructional workshop on fitting and alignment of a Four-Bar knee.
A further highlight of the meeting was the conference banquet held at Yering Station, where delegates enjoyed fine jazz, food and wine, and welcomed the chance to socialise and discuss the content of the presentations.
The George Carter New Investigator Prize was presented to NCPO Honours student Monique van den Boom for her paper “The Effect of Metatarsal Pad Height on Peak Pressure and Comfort in Asymptomatic Subjects”. The paper was co-authored by Rod Cooper and Margaret Hodge.
The award for the best poster presentation was given to Katherine Harding and Leigh Taylor for their poster titled “Development of a Rehabilitation Service in the Republic of the Marshall Islands”.
The recipients of the Best Short Paper Presentation were Anneke Deutsch and David Butler for their poster titled “New Polycentric Knee Joints for a Van Ness Rotationplasty Prosthesis”.
Conference convenor Dr Tim Bach and his organizing committee are to be congratulated upon hosting a world class meeting.

Posted Jan 04

ispo 2003 banquet

ISPO ASM delegates and guests enjoyed the beautiful view, superb wine and delicious food at Yering Station, venue of the conference banquet.

ispo2003 Workshop

ISPO ASM 4 bar knee workshop with Professor Radcliffe
NCPO Signs Agreement with Japanese Education Group

The NCPO’s internationally recognised expertise in prosthetics and orthotics education was further endorsed when it signed an agreement to upgrade the qualifications of Japanese students. The agreement established a formal link with the prominent Jikei Group, which owns 27 Japanese tertiary institutions.
La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Osborne and Jikei’s Chairman Dr. Kunihiko Ukifune signed the agreement. Also in attendance were other senior members from both institutions, with the NCPO represented by NCPO Head Mr. Rod Cooper and the ISPO ANMS represented by chairman Ms. Margaret Hodge.
Under the agreement, the NCPO will upgrade the qualifications of graduates from the Prosthetics and Orthotics College of the Kobe College of Medical Welfare (a major Jikei tertiary institution) to the level of the La Trobe University Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics degree. Currently, these students undertake three years of study in Japan to obtain a College Certificate qualification in P&O. The upgrade program will allow students to have their Certificate study directly attributed towards La Trobe’s B.P&O degree. To obtain the upgrade, Japanese students will be required to successfully complete a combination of NCPO prosthetics and orthotics subjects totalling 130 credit points.
Mr Rod Cooper said the new program had enormous potential benefits for La Trobe University. These included increased international recognition of La Trobe’s P&O program, exposure of local students to international P&O practices and the financial contribution of these additional fee paying students. Four students from Kobe College wish to start the program in 2004. The long-term goal is to enrol four to six students per annum.
Further information: Mr. Rod Cooper +61 3 9479 5862 or La Trobe University Public Affairs Office +61 39479 2316.

Posted Sep 03

Jikei Chairman & LTU Vice Chancellor

Jikei Chairman Dr. Kunihiko Ukifune (left) and La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor Professor Michael Osborne shake hands to symbolize the agreement.
AOPA Extends Contract for Joint Position

The NCPO is pleased to announce that, following an initial six month trial period, the Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association Inc (AOPA) has agreed to continue the AOPA / NCPO Lectureship for a further 12 months. The position will be funded at 0.4 EFT by the AOPA with Kaisha Gurry fulfilling the role of Executive Officer for the AOPA, and at 0.4 EFT by the NCPO with Kaisha filling the roles of Lecturer and Clinical Education Coordinator.
A furnished office and associated equipment is provided by the NCPO, allowing a full time contact point for all AOPA business as well as access to the University’s resources to assist the AOPA to meet the administrative and strategic goals of the Association. The establishment of this position has proven advantageous for both organisations, allowing flexible time allocations and a more immediate response to issues in both roles.
It is hoped that the Lectureship position will continue to strengthen relationships between the NCPO and the AOPA.
With the addition of the AOPA office to the NCPO, the NCPO continues to maintain a close working relationship with relevant associations and organisations within the P&O industry. The NCPO also provides office space and equipment to the ISPO Australia. Through ongoing support of our peak professional bodies, it is hoped that the NCPO can continue to contribute to raising the awareness and increasing the effectiveness of theses professional bodies.

Posted Sep 03

Kaish Gurry

 AOPA Executive
Officer Kaisha Gurry

Current NCPO staff representation
AOPA National Council:
Executive Officer: Kaisha Gurry
NCPO representative: Rod Cooper
Elected Member: Michael Gurry
ISPO Australia
Chairman: Margaret Hodge
Secretary: Wes Pryor
Chair, Scientific & Education Committee: Tim Bach
ISPO Australia 2003 Convening Committee
Convenor: Tim Bach
Committee members:
Les Barnes
Michael Dillon
Wes Pryor
Kaisha Gurry
Steve Hockey
Rita van Breda

NCPO Staffing Update