ORI3100 Orthosis and Prosthesis of the Upper Limb, and Hipdysarticulation Course description

This is the last of four courses in orthopaedic technology. The course is based on the clinical work processes covered in ORI1000, ORI1300, ORI2200 and ORI2300. Knowledge acquired in the courses on anatomy, pathology and biomechanics will be used.

The course mainly deals with orthoses and prostheses for the upper limbs. It also covers hip disarticulation prostheses, which is a less common amputation level and makes up a smaller part of the prosthetists’ work at lower limb level. The types of prostheses in this course are biomechanically and technically complex. The course will not provide all the necessary competence, but will provide the students with an insight into what is required in order to adapt functional prostheses at these amputation levels.

Prosthetists work with patients of all ages and life situations and must have good communication skills. The students will also participate in the interprofessional project INTER1300 ‘Interprofessional Cooperation about and with Children, Young People and their Families’. The theme will be how different professions can cooperate on and with children and young people. This includes a theoretical understanding of and research-based knowledge about interprofessional cooperation about and with children, young people and their families.

The student must have passed the first and second years of the programme or equivalent.

After completing the course and INTER1300, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence (INTER1300 addresses the learning outcomes marked with an asterisk (*)):

Knowledge

The student

• can explain different interprofessional methods of collaboration in the field of practice*
• can explain the challenges and possibilities of interprofessional cooperation processes*
• can elaborate on the relationship between the anatomy, pathology, biomechanics and function of the upper limbs
• can explain medical reasons for dysfunction in and amputation of upper limbs
• can describe psychosocial aspects of upper-limb amputation
• has knowledge of control technology used in upper limb prostheses and orthoses
• can describe surgery for hip disarticulation and the consequences of this for prosthetic treatment and design at this level of amputation
• is familiar with theories on health behaviour change
• can describe the Norwegian patient injury compensation system

Skills

The student

• can, on the basis of examples from their own practical training, analyse and assess interprofessional cooperation processes on and with children and young people with challenges*
• can establish interprofessional cooperation about and with children, young people and their parents/guardians*
• can identify and analyse the characteristics of normal and pathological movement and function in the upper limbs
• can conduct and analyse functional examinations of upper limbs
• can identify movements in the upper limbs and torso by modifying harness functions and assess muscle contraction for use of myoelectrical solutions
• can analyse and apply biomechanical theory to different cases
• can plan and give grounds for follow-up plans based on users’ needs
• can solve clinical and technical problems concerning prostheses or orthoses within the subject areas covered by the course
• can carry out clinical processes and make orthoses for users who need upper limb orthoses
• can apply ICF’s framework and use the outcome measures in the user’s orthopaedic follow-up plan
• can discuss research articles relevant to the course content

General competence

The student

• has an understanding of the basis for and necessity of interprofessional cooperation about and with children, young people and their parents/guardians, and of their own professional contribution to the cooperation*
• can discuss interdisciplinary cooperation in the rehabilitation of people with injuries, disorders or loss of upper limbs
• can document and communicate relevant clinical and biomechanical assessments in patient records and communicate such assessment orally
• is familiar with the objectives and functions of relevant user organisations
• can discuss anger and conflict management
• can reflect on social and health-related problems, including neglect, violence, abuse, substance abuse and other consequences of physical, mental, social and socio-economic problems
• can talk with people at risk about these problems and refer them to other professionals if necessary

The work and teaching methods used comprise seminars, a clinical and technical module, lectures, digital learning resources, group work and self-study.

The following coursework requirements must be met before the student can take the exam:

• minimum attendance of 80 % in seminars and skills training
• two individual process descriptions (clinical/technical) of 1,500 words (+/- 5%) based on the learning outcomes listed under ‘Skills’

Coursework requirements for INTER1300: ‘Communication with Children, Young people and their Families’

• students must submit an individual log. Scope: 500 words (+/- 10%). In order to write the log, the student must first participate in a two-day seminar.

Combined assessment

Part 1) Written home exam in groups of 2-3 students with a scope of 3,300-3,800 words.

Part 2) Individual oral exam, up to 20 minutes.

Weighting: One overall grade is awarded for part 1 and part 2. Parts 1 and 2 count equally with respect to grading. Students must be awarded a pass grade A-E for part one and part two in order to pass the exam.

Resit exam: If the student is awarded an F in one part of the exam, that part of the exam must be retaken. If a fail grade (F) is awarded for the written work (part 1), the student has the right to submit a reworked version once.

Students can appeal the grade awarded for part 1 of the exam.

Part 1) All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.

Part 2) None.

Parts 1 and 2: Grade scale A-F  

Parts 1 and 2: One external and one internal examiner will assess all the exam papers.

• 15 credits overlap with the course ORTO3300 Upper Limb Prostheses and Orthoses and Lower Limb Disarticulation Prostheses.