Course Descriptions

Course Descriptions - Orthotics & Prosthetics Program

Medical Humanities

5000

Credits: 2

This seminar-style course is based on the principles of cultural humility. Highlighting the history of medicine, orthotic & prosthetics, ethics, and health disparities. This course environment is structured to allow the learner to be introspective and self-reflective through creative thinking and personal exploration of strengths and personality traits. The tenants of compassion, respect, and dignity will be explored in how we approach patient management, patient outcomes, and working with others.

Introduction to O&P Principles & Techniques

5001

Credits: 3

This course provides exposure to fundamental concepts of orthotics and prosthetics. The purpose of the course is to provide foundation in history, scope of practice, exposure, methods of assessment and delivery, and basic knowledge to O&P. The course outlines the scope of the profession of orthotics and prosthetics. The course allows students to familiarize themselves with commonly used terminology, materials, fabrication processes, component identification, orthotic and prosthetic classifications, and custom-fit orthoses and prostheses. Parts of this course will reflect on social structures that have helped shape reality as our patients experience it when we are providing care.

Introduction to Independent Study

5003

Credits: 2

This seminar-style course will focus on introducing students to independent study topic areas (e.g., Digital Workspace, Clinical Leadership & Practice Management, Cultural Humility & Health Disparities). The course will highlight key aspects of each topic presented. The course environment is structured to allow the learner to determine which area they will select and take throughout the program in an independent study format.

Functional Anatomy & Kinesiology

5004

Credits: 3

This course provides intensive instruction in gross human anatomy and functional kinesiology. Through lecture and guided experiential learning, this course has an emphasis on lower limb body structures supporting neuromusculoskeletal and movement- related structures. Laboratory instruction provides small group, instructor guided experiences including human cadaver dissection, manual muscle testing and goniometry. Course content includes, but is not limited to anatomy, kinesiology and biomechanics. Issues related to human diversity are examined during instruction in functional outcome measures related to body function and body structures including such measurements as joint range of motion, postural alignment, and measures of strength.

Introduction to Pathology

5007

Credits: 2

This course provides an overview of pathologies commonly seen within orthotics and prosthetics practice.

Upper Limb Orthotics Practice

5020

Credits: 4

This course provides an overview of orthotic management of the upper limb. The upper limb orthotic course will explore the orthotic management of pathologies that impact the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, and fingers. Students will learn the connection and criteria selection of custom fabricated and fit upper limb orthoses in regards to understanding of foundational knowledge in the prescription recommendation, orthotic design, material selection, biomechanical principles, fitting, evaluation, adjustment, and patient-specific outcomes.

Biomechanics & Gait

5100

Credits: 3

The focus of this course is to provide basic principles of biomechanics and gait. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of the fundamental analysis of the body at rest and in motion with both normal and selected pathological gait.

Orthotics Management of Head & Spine

5110

Credits: 5

This course provides an overview of orthotic management of the head and spine. The topics covered in this course are; pathologies common to spinal orthotic management, cervical orthoses (CO), thoracic lumbosacral orthoses (TLSO), lumbosacral orthoses (LSO), sacral orthoses (SO), scoliosis management, post-operative management of the spine, cranial helmets, thermal injuries of the face. Students use each other as pseudo-patient models to fabricate and fit an array of custom orthoses. Parts of this course will reflect on social structures that have helped shape reality as our patients experience it when we are providing care. An interprofessional approach will be covered.

Upper Limb Prosthetic Practice

5130

Credits: 5

This course examines the principles, foundational knowledge, and practices of prosthetics as it relates to potential upper limb (UL) prosthetic management. Prosthetic designs for all levels including partial hand, wrist disarticulation (WD), transradial (TR), elbow disarticulation (ED), transhumeral (TH), shoulder disarticulation (SD), and interscapular thoracic (IST) will be reviewed, along with specialty cases such as bilateral and congenital limb differences. The course covers the following topics: patient assessment, outcome assessment, post-operative management, negative impression and measurement procedures, fit and function assessments, fabrication procedures, and component and material selection. Parts of this course will reflect on social structures that have helped shape reality as our patients experience it when we provide care. The importance of an interprofessional approach will be highlighted.

Case Reports I

5140

Credits: 1

This course focuses on developing writing skills, evidence-based research skills, and clinical decision-making skills within a case report format from the role of orthotist and prosthetist. This course will provide the foundational structure to describe the clinical encounter with a patient and development of a case study.

Medical Humanities II

5200

Credits: 2

This seminar style course is based on the principles of cultural humility and self-care. This course is structured to allow the learner to be introspective and self-reflective through creative thinking and personal exploration of how their strengths and personality traits play a role in interaction with others. The tenants of compassion, respect, and dignity will be further explored in how we approach patient management, patient outcomes, and working with others.

Clinical Leadership & Practice Management

5203

Credits: 2

Students independently explore and learn varied roles within O&P healthcare delivery system, specifically focused on management and leadership. Areas of exploration may include regulatory and reimbursement mechanisms that affect delivery of O&P services throughout the continuum of care. Students may explore how individuals became leaders and managers with their respective areas in O&P.

Digital Workspace

5204

Credits: 2

Students independently explore and learn how technology has advanced within O&P healthcare delivery system, specifically focused on areas of limb capture, software, printing, and digital applications (management to application). Students may explore how individuals became interested, navigated, and implemented the advancement of technology with their respective areas in O&P.

Cultural Humility & Health Disparities

5205

Credits: 2

Students independently explore areas of societal attitudes, individual perspectives, cultural perspectives, adaptation, and implications of health disparities and cultural humility within the context of the health care delivery system and broader society. Students may explore how individuals became interested, navigated, and got involved in outreach. Students may engage with organizations whose mission is to assist others (locally, regionally, nationally, or internationally).

Seminar Billing in P&O

5220

Credits: 2

Seminar course will provide in-depth and most up-to-date information on billing, coding, and reimbursement within O&P. Course will cover medical policy basics, Medicare Local Coverage Determination (LCD), Letters of Medical Necessity, Coding Principles, and Compliance.

Pediatric Populations

5230

Credits: 2

This course will provide pediatric-focused content within orthotic and prosthetic practice. The course focuses on the areas of early human development and pathologies commonly seen in the pediatric population. The learner will be introduced to orthotic interventions specific to pediatric population. Parts of this course will reflect on social structures that have helped shape reality as our patients and family supports experience it when we are providing care. Emphasis on the importance of interprofessional collaboration and communication will be covered.

Professional Development

5240

Credits: 2

This course provides students with an opportunity to investigate possible future career paths within their chosen profession of O&P. The student will gather information which serves as the basis for introspection and self-reflection for future decision making.

Clinical Leadership & Practice Management

5303

Credits: 2

Digital Workspace

5304

Credits: 2

Cultural Humility & Health Disparities

5305

Credits: 2

Writing Case Reports II

5310

Credits: 1

This seminar course is part two of a two-part course which spans across two semesters studying the role of orthotist and prosthetist in the development of case reports and the role of evidence- based practice. This course will provide the foundational structure to describe the clinical encounter with a patient and development of a case study. Students will complete a capstone/case report for this final section to meet NCOPE requirements.

Advanced O&P Practices

5350

Credits: 1

Course exposes the O&P student to advanced developments in O&P and the researchers and practitioners who are advancing the profession. Topics will range from but not limited to impression techniques, modification techniques, advanced componentry, microprocessor-controlled systems, suspension systems to pattern recognition in O&P.

Clinical Residency Seminar

5360

Credits: 2

Course designed to prepare the O&P student to transition into their NCOPE residency phase of the program. Will evaluate NCOPE requirements and review ABC code of professional practice as it relates to residency and professional interactions.

Lower Limb Prosthetics Practice

6000

Credits: 7

This course examines the principles, practices, and management of lower limb orthotics. Will examine all elements of orthotic intervention of the lower limb that are concerned with the lower leg and foot distal (i.e., below) to the knee and proximal (i.e., above knee) limb regions that include the knee, hip, pelvis and trunk. The major areas addressed in this course are: foot orthoses (FO), ankle foot orthoses (AFO), examination of the foot and ankle and knee, knee ankle foot orthoses (KAFO’s), knee orthoses (KO), hip knee ankle foot orthoses (HKAFO’s) pediatric and adult orthotic management, technical fabrication methods, digital workflow, computer-aided-design/computer-aided-manufacture in orthotics (CAD/CAM), orthotic management of fractures, fit and function assessment. Parts of this course will reflect on social structures that have helped shape reality as our patients experience it when we are providing care.

Lower Limb Orthotics Practice

6010

Credits: 7

This comprehensive course examines the principles and practices of lower limb prosthetics as they relate to amputations distal to the knee and proximal to the knee. The course covers a diversity of topics which include: patient assessment, post-operative management, negative impression and measurement procedures, modification techniques, fabrication procedures, prosthetic alignment, gait analysis, fit and function assessments, computer-aided-design/computer-aided-manufacture in prosthetics (CAD/CAM), feet, component and material selection and principles of gait training. Professional patient/subject models are used to demonstrate the clinical fit and function of a prosthesis. Parts of this course will reflect on social structures that have helped shape reality as our patients experience it when we are providing care.

Rotation 1A

6160

Credits: 16

The clinical residency phase of the program consists of three 6-month or two 9-month local, regional, and national rotations equaling 18-months in totality as required by National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE). This critical phase involves students gaining exposure in a broad and in-depth experiential learning and clinical environments within both disciplines (O&P) within a variety of clinical settings. Preparation for the integrated clinical residency occurs during the 16-month didactic portion of the program. Upon completion of both the didactic and clinical portions of the program, graduates are eligible to sit for the ABC Board Exam in both disciplines (Orthotics and Prosthetics).