ORI1000 Introduction to Prosthetics and Orthotics Course description

The course provides an introduction to fundamental knowledge for health profession studies, with a focus on knowledge and skills in prosthetics and orthotics.

The prosthetics and orthotics-specific topics include clinical procedures, communication and collaboration in clinical settings, design, material selection, and the technical fabrication of orthopaedic devices. This includes professional terminology, an introduction to the use of tools and machinery, as well as health, safety and environmental considerations (HSE) in clinical and laboratory settings. The course also provides an introduction to materials technology, with an emphasis on material selection in the design of orthopaedic technical devices.

Students are introduced to the field of rehabilitation and to the importance of professionalism, interdisciplinarity, and user involvement in health-related and academic work.

The student must have been admitted to the study programme.

After completing the course, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• can explain the development, fields of practice, and professional role of prosthetics and orthotics
• can explain different perspectives on health, illness, and disability
• can describe health legislation and relevant regulations, and explain how the health and social services are organised
• can explain basic manufacturing processes for orthopaedic devices
• can explain the properties of materials used in the design of orthopaedic devices

Skills

The student

• can apply professional knowledge of health, safety and environmental principles in clinical and technical processes
• can plan, carry out and reflect on simple clinical and technical tasks
• can use health professional and prosthetics and orthotics terminology both orally and in writing
• can apply basic theory of communication and communication processes, and discuss perspectives related to language and cultural diversity

General competence

The student

• can identify and describe professional ethical dilemmas, with particular emphasis on confidentiality and informed consent in health care practice
• can reflect on the concepts of empathy, respect and human rights, and describe the consequences of social inequality in health
• can reflect on the status of the Sami as an Indigenous people in relation to the design and delivery of health and social services
• is familiar with the importance of interprofessional collaboration and with the requirement of professional suitability
• can search for and critically assess sources, apply guidelines for citation, and compile reference lists in accordance with standards for academic writing
• understands the principles of responsible use of artificial intelligence, including ethical guidelines, citation practices, and requirements for referencing when AI-generated content is used

Work and teaching methods used in the course include self-study, group work, seminars, skills training and lectures. Student-active learning methods and digital tools are used in the teaching to promote communication and engagement.

The students will have one day of observational practical training at an orthopaedic technology enterprise.

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

• a minimum attendance of 80 % in seminars and skills training.

Portfolio assessment: An individual portfolio consisting of three written assignments, each with a length of 2,000 words (+/− 10%).

Weighting: One overall grade is awarded based on the portfolio. All three assignments in the portfolio count equally with respect to grading, but if an F is awarded for one of the assignments, the overall grade will also be an F.

Resit exam: Students will be given one opportunity to submit a reworked version of the portfolio assignment(s) for which an F was awarded.

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

Grade scale A-F

All answers are assessed by two examiners. An external examiner is used regularly, at a minimum for every third ordinary examination. If selecting answers for external evaluation, a minimum of 10 percent of the answers shall be included, with no fewer than 10 answers. The external examiner’s assessment shall form the basis for the assessment of the remaining answers.

• 10 credits overlap with the course ORTO1000 Introduction to Prosthetics and Orthotics.