ORIPRA3 Placement: Lower Limb- and Spinal Orthotics Course description

Anatomy is fundamental in order to be able to assess the functioning and disability of users with problems relating to the musculoskeletal system. Physiology is fundamental to the understanding of normal and pathological processes.

In this course, the students will receive an introduction to functional examinations of upper and lower limbs and the spine. Functioning is mapped and assessed by means of systematic examinations. The topics will be covered in more depth in the orthopaedic technology courses, which will review specific types of prostheses and orthoses.

The student must have passed the second 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 how the organisation and structure of the practical training establishment influences professional practice
• can describe key topics, theories, issues, processes, tools and methods of relevance to lower limb and spinal orthoses
• can elaborate on how different types of orthoses form part of treatment, habilitation and rehabilitation

Skills

The student

• can use, give grounds for, carry out and reflect on clinical processes with an emphasis on lower limb and spinal orthoses
• can create models and orthoses and demonstrate how to use the orthosis
• can analyse and reflect on outcomes measures that are relevant to measure the effect of orthoses in relation to the ICF framework (body structures, function, activity and participation)
• can assess whether there is a need to refer clients to a partner
• can communicate and discuss professional opinions with users, next of kin and partners
• can discuss and reflect on the treatment of children in need of orthoses
• can perform quality control of orthopaedic appliances
• can explore professional issues in a systematic and reflective manner in his/her clinical practice

General competence

The student

• can work in accordance with applicable legislation, framework conditions and professional ethical guidelines
• can demonstrate and reflect on professionalism in all tasks at the practical training enterprise
• can act in manner that demonstrates empathy, respect and equality, to promote autonomy and co-determination
• can independently keep records and relevant documents used in the practical training enterprise
• can handle ethical dilemmas and work in accordance with professional ethical guidelines
• can contribute to work in and coordination of interprofessional teams
• can reflect on his/her own development, the user’s perspective and the perspectives of other healthcare professionals
• can identify his/her own knowledge needs, demonstrate insight in relation to his/her own learning needs and obtain new knowledge and skills

The methods used vary between lectures, seminars, skills training in functional examination of fellow students, database searches, use of digital resources and self-study. Parts of the course are taught jointly with other health sciences programmes.

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

• minimum attendance of 80% at seminars and skills training.

Combined assessment:

Part 1) Supervised individual written exam (multiple choice test), 1 hour.

Part 2) Individual practical and oral exam, up to 30 min.

Weighting: One overall grade is awarded for part 1 and part 2. Part 1, written exam, is weighted 33%. Part 2, oral exam, is weighted 66%.

Resit assessment/exam: If a student fails one part of the exam, they must retake the part in question. Students can appeal the grade awarded for part 1, written exam.

No aids permitted.

Parts 1 and 2: Grade scale A-F.

Part 1: An external examiner contributes to the preparation of the exam questions and assessment criteria. Each answer paper is quality assured by an internal examiner and automatically assessed.

Part 2) The oral exam is assessed by one internal and one external examiner.

• 10 credits overlap with the course ORTO1100 Anatomy and Physiology.