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The British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO) was established to encourage high standards of prosthetic and orthotic practice. It is committed to Continued Professional Development and education to enhance standards of prosthetic and orthotic care. BAPO is the only UK body that represents the interests of prosthetic and orthotic professionals and associate members to their employers, BAPO enjoys the support of a high majority of the profession as members.
Wednesday 21 October 2015
Monday 12 October 2015
Guys and St Thomas- Clinical Lead and Head of Regional Orthotics Service, London
To view this job vacancy click here
Tuesday 6 October 2015
UK Prosthetics & Orthotics Workforce Review
We want to hear from anyone with a qualification in prosthetics and orthotics.
The British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO) is leading a review of the workforce in the UK.
This is the first step in a full scale review of our profession with 3 more surveys planned throughout the year.
Last year our profession was added to the national shortage list by the Centre for Workforce Intelligence.
From speaking to our members, the employers and reviewing the number of P&O professionals registered with the HCPC it is becoming apparent we have a problem with retention and would like to understand what the reasons are for people leaving the profession. We are also using this opportunity to capture the reasons people are continuing to work in the field, whether in clinical practice or another branch such as education or research.
We need to find out why people are leaving the profession and what we can do, in conjunction with the other key stakeholders, to reduce this trend and make prosthetics and orthotics a profession that people want to stay in for the long term.
So we are asking the profession for their help.
How many people from your class are still working in the profession? If people have left do you know how to get in touch with them? Please help us gather the information we need so we can then see what we can do in partnership with the universities and employers to support you and your colleagues in your chosen profession.
This will only take 5 minutes of your time.
Please read, complete the survey and then pass it on to all your contacts at work, old classmates, Facebook friends, anyone who once trained as a Prosthetist or Orthotist.
http://survey.bapo-online.com/index.php/469793/lang-en
Many thanks for your help
Lynne Rowley
Chair of BAPO
The British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO) is leading a review of the workforce in the UK.
This is the first step in a full scale review of our profession with 3 more surveys planned throughout the year.
Last year our profession was added to the national shortage list by the Centre for Workforce Intelligence.
From speaking to our members, the employers and reviewing the number of P&O professionals registered with the HCPC it is becoming apparent we have a problem with retention and would like to understand what the reasons are for people leaving the profession. We are also using this opportunity to capture the reasons people are continuing to work in the field, whether in clinical practice or another branch such as education or research.
We need to find out why people are leaving the profession and what we can do, in conjunction with the other key stakeholders, to reduce this trend and make prosthetics and orthotics a profession that people want to stay in for the long term.
So we are asking the profession for their help.
How many people from your class are still working in the profession? If people have left do you know how to get in touch with them? Please help us gather the information we need so we can then see what we can do in partnership with the universities and employers to support you and your colleagues in your chosen profession.
This will only take 5 minutes of your time.
Please read, complete the survey and then pass it on to all your contacts at work, old classmates, Facebook friends, anyone who once trained as a Prosthetist or Orthotist.
http://survey.bapo-online.com/index.php/469793/lang-en
Many thanks for your help
Lynne Rowley
Chair of BAPO
Saturday 3 October 2015
Effects of ankle foot orthoses on body functions and activities in people with floppy paretic ankle muscles: a systematic review
Dymphy van der Wilk, Pieter Ubele Dijkstra, Klaas Postema, Gijsbertus Jacob Verkerke, Juha Markus Hijmans
Highlights
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Elastic ankle foot orthoses improve energy efficiency (dorsiflexor paresis).
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Dorsal ankle foot orthoses improve energy efficiency and comfortable walking speed (plantarflexor paresis both with and without a dorsiflexor paresis).
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Circular- and elastic ankle foot orthoses are more suitable for dorsiflexor paresis.
- •
Dorsal ankle foot orthoses are more suitable for plantarflexor paresis both with and without a dorsiflexor paresis.
Abstract
Background
People with floppy ankle muscles paresis use ankle foot orthoses to improve their walking ability. Ankle foot orthoses also limit ankle range of motion thereby introducing additional problems. Insight in effects of ankle foot orthoses on body functions and activities in people with floppy paretic ankle muscles aids in clinical decision making and may improve adherence.
Methods
Studies published before October 27th 2014 were searched in Pubmed, Embase, Cinahl, and Cochrane Library. Studies evaluating effects of ankle foot orthoses on body functions and/or activities in people with floppy paretic ankle muscles were included. Studies solely focusing on people with spastic paretic ankle muscles were excluded. Study quality was assessed using a custom made scale. Body functions and activities were defined according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health.
Findings
Twenty-four studies were included, evaluating 394 participants. Participants were grouped according to paresis type (i) dorsiflexor paresis, (ii) plantar flexor paresis, (iii) both dorsiflexor- and plantar flexor paresis. Dorsal- circular- and elastic ankle foot orthoses increased dorsiflexion during swing (by 4-6°, group i). Physical comfort with dorsal ankle foot orthoses was lower than that with circular ankle foot orthoses (groups i&iii). Dorsal ankle foot orthoses increased push-off moment (by 0.2-0.5 Nm/kg), increased walking efficiency, and decreased ankle range of motion (by 12-30°, groups ii&iii).
Interpretation
People with dorsiflexor paresis benefit more from circular- and elastic ankle foot orthoses while people with plantar flexor paresis (and dorsiflexor paresis) benefit more from dorsal ankle foot orthoses.
Source: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0268003315002545
Friday 2 October 2015
Hand and wrist orthoses for adults with rheumatological conditions
The BAPO Professional Affairs Committee provided feedback on this
practice guideline by the College of Occupational Therapists and subsequently
endorsed it. It may be of interest to orthotists practising upper limb
orthotics in this patient group. It was developed using a NICE accredited
process and is available to download from the COT website at the address below.
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