ORI2200 Orthosis and Prosthesis of the Foot Course description

This is the second of four courses in orthopaedic technology. The course builds in particular on the clinical work processes covered in ORI1000 and ORI1300. Knowledge from the courses in anatomy, pathology and biomechanics will also be used. The focus is on the adaptation of insoles, foot orthoses and adaptation of orthopaedic shoes. This includes functional analyses of the foot, gait analysis, scanning for digital modelling of foot orthoses, pressure measurement, biomechanical perspectives and psychosocial consequences for people with foot disorders.;;

The student will be given an introduction to preventive measures against strain injuries of the feet and maintaining gait function. The course also covers partial foot prostheses.

The student must have passed the first year of the programme or equivalent.

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 describe the relationship between foot anatomy, pathology, biomechanics and function of the foot
• can give an account of foot disorders that form the basis for the use of foot orthoses or orthopaedic shoes
• can give an account of the design and construction of foot orthoses and orthopaedic shoes
• can describe the components of shoes and explain production processes relevant to footwear and foot orthoses
• can describe biomechanical principles and theories applied in the design and adaptation of foot orthoses, orthopaedic shoes and partial foot prostheses
• can describe the significance of the shoe for the function of users with a partial foot prosthesis
• can describe preventive measures to correct deformities, reduce pain and prevent wounds

Skills

The student

• can carry out, under supervision, clinical processes that form part of the follow-up plan for users who need footwear and foot orthoses
• can conduct a gait analysis, identify biomechanical issues and use this information in orthoses treatment
• can use outcome measures related to the users of footwear and foot orthoses
• can use the ICF framework to explain how disabilities due to foot problems can affect people
• can use pressure measurement equipment and use the results in the selection and assessment of orthoses
• can use relevant research to analyse topics relating to footwear and foot orthoses
• can, under supervision, prepare work descriptions and carry out technical procedures used in the production of footwear and foot orthoses
• can analyse and reflect on clinical and technical solutions, document clinical work in patient records and communicate this orally

General competence

The student

• can work independently and cooperate with users and other professions in the field of footwear and foot orthoses
• can discuss the need for professional guidelines
• can reflect on how communication should be adapted to different age groups and levels of functioning
• can reflect on the population's knowledge of own health and the consequences for guidance and information

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

Through the work on the bachelor’s thesis, the students will specialise in a chosen topic. The research questions must be related to the prosthetics and orthotics profession. Professional development and developing new knowledge is a key topic in the course. Students are encouraged to become affiliated to a research environment at OsloMet or an external institution. The work on the thesis can be linked to ongoing research, improvement and development projects. The programme will assist in identifying relevant research environments.

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

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

Knowledge

The student

• has in-depth knowledge of the focus area of the bachelor's thesis

Skills

The student

• can prepare a research question and project outline
• can choose, give grounds for and use a relevant scientific method
• can obtain and discuss relevant research articles and other specialist literature
• can discuss, assess and reflect on the research question and choice of methods in relation to findings and results
• can carry out the project in accordance with scientific criteria and guidelines for research ethics and data protection

General competence

The student

• can plan and carry out varied tasks and projects that take place over time and contribute to theoretical and/or practical development
• can critically reflect on research ethics issues and guidelines relating to project work
• can disseminate, discuss and present the results of his/her own project in writing

Work and teaching methods include lectures, seminars, supervision, group work and self-study. The course starts with lectures that will support the students’ work on the chosen subject, formulating the research questions and the project outline.

The bachelor’s thesis is normally written individually or in pairs. If the project’s topic is interprofessional, the project group can also include a student from another bachelor's degree programme, subject to the approval of the person responsible for the course at both programmes.

Students will meet at seminars during the project period. Halfway into the project, the students will meet to present their preliminary project status and provide input to fellow students on their projects. The students are assigned a supervisor after they have submitted a project outline describing the topic of the thesis. The supervision is based on written project material and specific questions submitted by the student(s) ahead of the supervision session. Students with an individual assignment are given four supervision sessions and group assignments are given six sessions.

The course covers quantitative and qualitative research methods that are relevant to prosthetics and orthotics. The students will learn about research design, data collection and analysis and research ethics. The themes reliability, construct validity and internal and external validity as a basis for critical reading of research articles and other sources will be emphasised. These themes are followed up in subsequent courses and provide the students with a basis for their work on the bachelor’s thesis at the end of the programme.

The student must have passed the first year of the programme or equivalent.