ORI1310 Transtibial and Transfemoral Prostheses Course description

The course is the first of four courses in orthopaedic technology and builds on the clinical work processes introduced in ORI1000, as well as knowledge from courses in anatomy and biomechanics. The course focuses on two of the most common lower-limb amputation levels: below-knee (transtibial) and above-knee (transfemoral).

Students learn about prosthetic design and fitting and are introduced to the field of rehabilitation. They gain experience working in teams with users and other health professionals, and learn to set goals and evaluate the effects of interventions aimed at improving users’ daily lives.

By the end of the course, students will have an understanding of both the technical and human factors that form the basis for professional practice in prosthetics and orthotics. Students also learn about the importance of health-promoting and preventive strategies in health care, and the role of the prosthetist-orthotist in public health initiatives.

Studenten må være tatt opp på studiet.

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 roles and responsibilities of different health professions within prosthetics and orthotics
• can explain medical indications and relevant surgical procedures at the transtibial and transfemoral levels, and identify anatomical reference points important for the fitting of lower-limb prostheses
• can describe complications related to pain, psychosocial factors and cognitive challenges that may affect communication and the use of prostheses
• can describe health-promoting and preventive strategies in health care
• can describe the epidemiological and demographic basis for public health work
• can explain key concepts in prosthetic design and fitting, including biomechanics, alignment, socket technology, and the selection of components and materials (e.g. silicone, elastomers, foam materials)

Skills

The student

• can, under supervision, perform clinical procedures following amputation at the transtibial and transfemoral levels, including assessment, goal setting, intervention and evaluation
• can carry out processes involved in the fabrication of transtibial and transfemoral prostheses, including plaster casting, 3D scanning/printing, modelling, and component selection
• can apply the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) in clinical reasoning and practice
• can apply outcome measures, document in patient records, and perform functional testing and visual gait analysis to correct gait deviations
• can perform literature searches, summarise and reference research articles within the field

General competence

The student

• can apply basic clinical reasoning to assess user needs and provide appropriate prosthetic solutions
• can demonstrate professional behaviour, empathy and effective communication when interacting with users, colleagues and staff in clinical and technical settings

The work and teaching methods used vary between seminars, skills training, a clinical and technical module, lectures, digital learning resources, student cooperation and self-study.

The following coursework requirements must be met before the student can take part 2 of the exam:

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

Combined assessment:

Part 1) Written home exam over 4 weeks 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: All answers are assessed by one examiner. 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.

Part 2: 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.