Only 5 weeks to go to the BAPO conference. Have you got your tickets yet? If not there is still time Register Now!
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.
Monday, 3 February 2014
BAPO Conference
Only 5 weeks to go to the BAPO conference. Have you got your tickets yet? If not there is still time Register Now!
Tuesday, 28 January 2014
Classification of Forefoot Plantar Pressure Distribution in Persons with Diabetes: A Novel Perspective for the Mechanical Management of Diabetic Foot?
Kevin Deschamps, Giovanni Arnoldo Matricali, Philip Roosen, Kaat Desloovere, Herman Bruyninckx, Pieter Spaepen, Frank Nobels, Jos Tits, Mieke Flour, Filip Staes
Abstract
Background
The aim of this study was to identify groups of subjects with similar patterns of forefoot loading and verify if specific groups of patients with diabetes could be isolated from non-diabetics.
Methodology/Principal Findings
Ninety-seven patients with diabetes and 33 control participants between 45 and 70 years were prospectively recruited in two Belgian Diabetic Foot Clinics. Barefoot plantar pressure measurements were recorded and subsequently analysed using a semi-automatic total mapping technique. Kmeans cluster analysis was applied on relative regional impulses of six forefoot segments in order to pursue a classification for the control group separately, the diabetic group separately and both groups together. Cluster analysis led to identification of three distinct groups when considering only the control group. For the diabetic group, and the computation considering both groups together, four distinct groups were isolated. Compared to the cluster analysis of the control group an additional forefoot loading pattern was identified. This group comprised diabetic feet only. The relevance of the reported clusters was supported by ANOVA statistics indicating significant differences between different regions of interest and different clusters.
Conclusion/s Significance
There seems to emerge a new era in diabetic foot medicine which embraces the classification of diabetic patients according to their biomechanical profile. Classification of the plantar pressure distribution has the potential to provide a means to determine mechanical interventions for the prevention and/or treatment of the diabetic foot.
Thursday, 16 January 2014
BAPO CONFERENCE
And nominations for Technician of the Year are still open if you know someone who has gone the extra mile, or deserves recognition for an excellent piece of work. Nomination Forms available here.
New Council for the Health and Care Professions Council appointed
HCPC News release
Thursday 9 January 2014
New Council for the Health and Care Professions Council appointed
The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) is pleased to announce the appointment of its new Council. There are twelve members in total, all of whom have taken office in January 2014. This is in line with the government recommendation that all regulatory bodies should be overseen by smaller, more 'board like' Councils.
Each Council member has been appointed for the skills they will bring, including a strong mix of governance, management and financial abilities. The new Council has also been drawn from the professions we regulate as well as lay backgrounds to bring a diverse mix of experience and knowledge. The full list of appointees, including biographies, is set out below.
Chair of the HCPC, Anna van der Gaag, commented:
"The last few years has seen tremendous growth and change for the HCPC. I am pleased that we have recruited a Council with such a strong mix of skills, ability and experience drawn from all parts of the UK. This is particularly important for us as we continue working with our stakeholders in order to ensure we carry out our primary purpose of public protection effectively. I very much look forward to continuing this work with the restructured Council."
Chief Executive and Registrar of the HCPC, Marc Seale, commented;
"I very much welcome the newly appointed Council members and am looking forward to working with them to ensure the highest standards of public protection. Council members play a fundamental governance role in setting the strategy and policy and ensuring HCPC fulfils its statutory duty. They also ensure we maintain efficient regulatory processes and that the standards we set continue to be fit for purpose."
Thursday 9 January 2014
New Council for the Health and Care Professions Council appointed
The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) is pleased to announce the appointment of its new Council. There are twelve members in total, all of whom have taken office in January 2014. This is in line with the government recommendation that all regulatory bodies should be overseen by smaller, more 'board like' Councils.
Each Council member has been appointed for the skills they will bring, including a strong mix of governance, management and financial abilities. The new Council has also been drawn from the professions we regulate as well as lay backgrounds to bring a diverse mix of experience and knowledge. The full list of appointees, including biographies, is set out below.
Chair of the HCPC, Anna van der Gaag, commented:
"The last few years has seen tremendous growth and change for the HCPC. I am pleased that we have recruited a Council with such a strong mix of skills, ability and experience drawn from all parts of the UK. This is particularly important for us as we continue working with our stakeholders in order to ensure we carry out our primary purpose of public protection effectively. I very much look forward to continuing this work with the restructured Council."
Chief Executive and Registrar of the HCPC, Marc Seale, commented;
"I very much welcome the newly appointed Council members and am looking forward to working with them to ensure the highest standards of public protection. Council members play a fundamental governance role in setting the strategy and policy and ensuring HCPC fulfils its statutory duty. They also ensure we maintain efficient regulatory processes and that the standards we set continue to be fit for purpose."
Tuesday, 14 January 2014
New Short Course - Saturday 12th April 2014 - Staffordshire University
Imaging Interpretation of the Foot and Ankle with a focus on Diabetic Foot
Provide basic imaging (X-Ray) interpreting skills to allow Allied Health Professionals to be able to distinguish the differences between a normal foot and an abnormal foot and how one can use this information for treatment planning.
If you are interested on this course, please click below link for further details:
Imaging Interpretation of the Foot and Ankle with a focus on Diabetic Foot
Sunday, 29 December 2013
Modification of midfoot bone stress with functional foot orthoses
Halstead-Rastrick, Jill (2013) Modification of midfoot bone stress with functional foot orthoses. PhD thesis, University of Leeds.
Abstract
Studies of foot orthoses suggest that they can improve foot pain and function, although the precise mode of action of foot orthoses is poorly understood. It is proposed that they may act through the modification of abnormal stresses or motions occurring within the foot. The central aim of this thesis is to explore whether functional foot orthoses can systematically modify bone stress in the midfoot as measured on magnetic resonance imaging. Bone marrow lesion patterns quantified on magnetic resonance imaging was proposed as a surrogate measure of bone stress in the foot. A reliable method of bone segmentation and BML volume measurement was developed and applied in this thesis. In the interventional study of this thesis, the effect of functional foot orthoses on mechanical medial midfoot pain, foot impairment, patterns of bone marrow lesions and foot kinematics were investigated. Thirty seven participants with mechanical midfoot pain and medial midfoot bone marrow lesions participated in the study and were allocated to wear either functional foot orthoses (n=21) or a cushioning insole (n=16). The effect of the orthosis intervention on foot pain, impairment and volumes of magnetic resonance bone marrow lesions was compared in each group. In addition, the gait parameters and foot kinematics were assessed in a subset of 20 participants (functional foot orthoses n=10 and cushioning insole n=10). Foot pain and foot impairment outcomes improved more in the functional foot orthoses group than the control group wearing cushioning insoles. The results suggest that the volumes of bone marrow lesions in the medial foot bones were reduced systematically in the functional foot orthoses group. In comparison, those wearing the cushioning insole showed no change greater than measurement error. There was no evidence in the small subset of 7 participants, that foot kinematics were systematically altered when wearing either the cushioning insole or functional foot orthoses compared to in-shoe only analyses. The results reported in this thesis suggest that the biomechanical mechanism of functional foot orthoses in treating foot pain could be the modification of internal forces rather than their systematically influencing magnitudes of foot motion. This new data indicates that functional foot orthoses appear to have the potential to reduce foot pain and alter patterns of bone marrow lesions (a surrogate measure of bone stress) in the medial midfoot bones and further work is now required to explore this formally in larger studies.
Monday, 23 December 2013
BAPO Insurance Additional Information
Please click here for additional information on BAPO insurance 2014
Tuesday, 17 December 2013
BAPO Conference & Exhibition 2014 - Delegate Registrations Now Open!
|
BAPO are
pleased to announce the opening of delegate registrations for Conference
& Exhibition 2014 please take advantage of the Early Bird discount
which closes on 31 December 2013
BAPO members wishing to register should use their current login details to access BAPOnline - www.bapo.com Non-members should click on the link below, provide details requested, enter the Non Members activation in the box provided, in order to register and access BAPOnline - www.bapo.com http://www.bapo.com/Application/Member/SelfRegistration.aspx For further information or enquiries please contact the Secretariat on 0141 561 7217 or email conference@bapo.com |
Monday, 16 December 2013
BAPO Conference & Exhibition 2014 - Call for Papers Reminder
BAPO are seeking presentations both Prosthetic and Orthotic of 12 minutes duration with up to 3 minutes for questions and answers.
For more details download submission instructions here
Sunday, 15 December 2013
Effect of an ankle–foot orthosis on knee joint mechanics: A novel conservative treatment for knee osteoarthritis
Cynthia H Fantini Pagani; Steffen Willwacher; Rita Benker; Gert-Peter Brüggemann
Abstract
Background: Several conservative treatments for medial knee osteoarthritis such as knee orthosis and laterally wedged insoles have been shown to reduce the load in the medial knee compartment. However, those treatments also present limitations such as patient compliance and inconsistent results regarding the treatment success.
Objective: To analyze the effect of an ankle–foot orthosis on the knee adduction moment and knee joint alignment in the frontal plane in subjects with knee varus alignment.
Study design: Controlled laboratory study, repeated measurements.
Methods: In total, 14 healthy subjects with knee varus alignment were analyzed in five different conditions: without orthotic, with laterally wedged insoles, and with an ankle–foot orthosis in three different adjustments. Three-dimensional kinetic and kinematic data were collected during gait analysis.
Results: Significant decreases in knee adduction moment, knee lever arm, and joint alignment in the frontal plane were observed with the ankle–foot orthosis in all three different adjustments. No significant differences could be found in any parameter while using the laterally wedged insoles.
Conclusion: The ankle–foot orthosis was effective in reducing the knee adduction moment. The decreases in this parameter seem to be achieved by changing the knee joint alignment and thereby reducing the knee lever arm in the frontal plane.
Clinical relevance This study presents a novel approach for reducing the load in the medial knee compartment, which could be developed as a new treatment option for patients with medial knee osteoarthritis.
Source: http://poi.sagepub.com/content/early/2013/12/10/0309364613513297.abstract
Friday, 6 December 2013
HCPC News Release 4/12/13
News release
Wednesday 4 December 2013
Outcomes of the consultation on the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration fees
At its most recent meeting, the HCPC Council agreed to proposals to increase the registration renewal fee to £80 per year. The Council also agreed a similar level of increases to other registration fees.
The Council's decision to increase the fees was carefully considered and followed an in-depth analysis of the responses to the fees consultation which closed recently.
Marc Seale, Chief Executive and Registrar commented;
"We are very aware of the concerns raised by registrants about these increases and of the economic context in which we operate. For this reason, we have consciously managed our costs as efficiently as we can whilst striving to improve our effectiveness.
"The fees we charge pay for all our operating costs. However, these fees have not increased since 2009 despite rising costs. We have worked hard to limit the increases as much as possible, but it is crucial that we have sufficient funds to continue to operate efficiently and effectively in protecting the public.
"The new fee structure still means we have the lowest renewal fee of all the regulators overseen by the Professional Standards Authority. It also allows us to manage increases in costs in an incremental way, preventing financial difficulties which might otherwise lead to substantial unplanned increases to the fees."
Subject to parliamentary approval, the new registration fee structure will come into effect on 1 April 2014.
A full summary of the responses to the consultation is available on our website at www.hcpc-uk.org/aboutus/consultations/closed/index.asp?id=160<file:///C:\Users\gaylee\AppData\Local\Temp\>. The report contains an analysis of the responses we received as well as our comments and decisions. We also have answers to a series of 'frequently asked questions' about the revised registration fees at www.hcpc-uk.org/registrants/fees/consultation<file:///C:\Users\gaylee\AppData\Local\Temp\>
Wednesday 4 December 2013
Outcomes of the consultation on the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration fees
At its most recent meeting, the HCPC Council agreed to proposals to increase the registration renewal fee to £80 per year. The Council also agreed a similar level of increases to other registration fees.
The Council's decision to increase the fees was carefully considered and followed an in-depth analysis of the responses to the fees consultation which closed recently.
Marc Seale, Chief Executive and Registrar commented;
"We are very aware of the concerns raised by registrants about these increases and of the economic context in which we operate. For this reason, we have consciously managed our costs as efficiently as we can whilst striving to improve our effectiveness.
"The fees we charge pay for all our operating costs. However, these fees have not increased since 2009 despite rising costs. We have worked hard to limit the increases as much as possible, but it is crucial that we have sufficient funds to continue to operate efficiently and effectively in protecting the public.
"The new fee structure still means we have the lowest renewal fee of all the regulators overseen by the Professional Standards Authority. It also allows us to manage increases in costs in an incremental way, preventing financial difficulties which might otherwise lead to substantial unplanned increases to the fees."
Subject to parliamentary approval, the new registration fee structure will come into effect on 1 April 2014.
A full summary of the responses to the consultation is available on our website at www.hcpc-uk.org/aboutus/consultations/closed/index.asp?id=160<file:///C:\Users\gaylee\AppData\Local\Temp\>. The report contains an analysis of the responses we received as well as our comments and decisions. We also have answers to a series of 'frequently asked questions' about the revised registration fees at www.hcpc-uk.org/registrants/fees/consultation<file:///C:\Users\gaylee\AppData\Local\Temp\>
BAPO Conference & Exhibition 2014 - OETT Technician Training Day
OETT sponsorship of this event has allowed us to once again offer the first 15 full paying Technicians to register the opportunity to bring along a colleague FREE OF CHARGE *!
Simply complete and return the attached registration forms or download from http://www.bapo.com/
*Offer applies to registrations received from full paying P&O Technicians only
*Only P&O Technicians can benefit from free registration offer
*Free registration applies to Friday 14 March only
*Access to Training Day and Trade Exhibition from 5pm
Studies examine ways to optimize OA bracing
Research continues to suggest that bracing has the ability to improve pain and function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. This article offers some recent reviews of literature and tips on compliance.
Friday, 29 November 2013
BAPO Conference & Exhibition 2014 - Call for Posters
In addition to the clinical programme BAPO will be running a poster competition, submissions will be divided into four groups: Prosthetists/Orthotists; Technicians/Assistants; Students and other. The best poster in each group will be awarded £100 with a bottle of bubbly awarded to the runners up in each category.
For full details please click here
Friday, 22 November 2013
HCPC News Release
Wednesday 20 November
2013
New research commissioned by the HCPC shows that one in five 'doubted fitness to practise' of a health or care professional
The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) is launching new research today which finds that a fifth of UK adults have encountered behaviour from a health or care professional that made them doubt their fitness to practise.
More than a quarter said the health or care professional in question seriously or persistently failed to meet standards whilst 16 per cent said they felt the professional failed to respect the rights of a patient to make their own choices. Thirteen per cent felt they were 'hiding mistakes' and a further nine per cent felt they were exploiting vulnerable patients. One in twenty said they had experienced or witnessed reckless or deliberately harmful acts.
Despite these figures, just three out of ten reported their concerns, with a further 73 per cent of adults who would not know where to go to report concerning behaviour.
The data, released today supports research commissioned by the HCPC earlier in the year into what the general public feel they need protection from most. Findings from this report show that Illegal drug taking and shoplifting were far more likely to concern members of the public than convictions for drink driving. Dishonesty and fraud were also key concerns for most.
Brian James, Head of Assurance and Development said:
"The vast majority of HCPC registrants practise safely and effectively and within nationally agreed standards for professional skills and behaviour. However, on the rare occasion that a registrant does not meet HCPC standards, action can be taken including imposing sanctions or stopping them from practising in the most serious of cases. After looking at the key findings in this research it is reassuring to know that we are dealing with the issues that the public feel they need protecting from the most."
The HCPC's 2013 annual fitness to practise report<http://www.hcpc-uk.org/publications/reports/index.asp?id=709>, which has just been published, shows the action the HCPC is taking to protect the public.
Anyone can contact the HCPC to raise a concern about a registrant. This includes members of the public, employers, the police and other professionals.
New research commissioned by the HCPC shows that one in five 'doubted fitness to practise' of a health or care professional
The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) is launching new research today which finds that a fifth of UK adults have encountered behaviour from a health or care professional that made them doubt their fitness to practise.
More than a quarter said the health or care professional in question seriously or persistently failed to meet standards whilst 16 per cent said they felt the professional failed to respect the rights of a patient to make their own choices. Thirteen per cent felt they were 'hiding mistakes' and a further nine per cent felt they were exploiting vulnerable patients. One in twenty said they had experienced or witnessed reckless or deliberately harmful acts.
Despite these figures, just three out of ten reported their concerns, with a further 73 per cent of adults who would not know where to go to report concerning behaviour.
The data, released today supports research commissioned by the HCPC earlier in the year into what the general public feel they need protection from most. Findings from this report show that Illegal drug taking and shoplifting were far more likely to concern members of the public than convictions for drink driving. Dishonesty and fraud were also key concerns for most.
Brian James, Head of Assurance and Development said:
"The vast majority of HCPC registrants practise safely and effectively and within nationally agreed standards for professional skills and behaviour. However, on the rare occasion that a registrant does not meet HCPC standards, action can be taken including imposing sanctions or stopping them from practising in the most serious of cases. After looking at the key findings in this research it is reassuring to know that we are dealing with the issues that the public feel they need protecting from the most."
The HCPC's 2013 annual fitness to practise report<http://www.hcpc-uk.org/publications/reports/index.asp?id=709>, which has just been published, shows the action the HCPC is taking to protect the public.
Anyone can contact the HCPC to raise a concern about a registrant. This includes members of the public, employers, the police and other professionals.
Tuesday, 19 November 2013
Save the Date
Save the Date for the BAPO conference 2014.
When: 14th-16th March
Where: The Point, Lancashire County Cricket Club, Old Trafford, Manchester.
Its set to be a Fantastic Weekend with some great speakers so don't miss out Save the Date now!
Friday, 15 November 2013
BAPO Conference & Exhibition 2014 Call for Papers
BAPO are seeking presentations both Prosthetic and Orthotic of 12 minutes duration with up to 3 minutes for questions and answers.
For more details download submission instructions here
Thursday, 3 October 2013
Physiotherapy to Complement Orthotic Treatment
Physiotherapy to Complement Orthotic Treatment
Saturday 12th October 2013
**last chance to book on this course**
This course aims to:
Share how physiotherapists look at patients regarding an assessment and detail what elements of that assessment may lead to the involvement of orthotics.
Explore reasoning behind physiotherapy intervention, namely core stability, flexibility, strength, pathology, neurological involvement etc.
The event will be delivered by tutors who are also active clinicians using audio/visual aids as appropriate. We may call upon willing delegates to participate in the direct delivery of the syllabus. There will group discussions and case studies.
Contact hours: 6 hours plus 2 hours of independent reading
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)