ORTO1000 Introduction to Prosthetics and Orthotics Course description

The module focuses on basic knowledge that is common to several programmes of professional study in the health sciences and on knowledge and skills that are specific to prosthetics and orthotics. Common basic knowledge includes topics such as communication in a modern multicultural society, how the Norwegian health service is organised, International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), evidence-based practice, literature searches, use of sources, professional ethics and relevant legislation. Topics specific to prosthetics and orthotics include terminology, basic clinical procedures, tools, machines, health, safety and the environment (HSE) in clinics and workshops, and an introduction to materials and basic production processes.

The student must have been admitted to the study programme.

After completing the module, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• is capable of describing the development, work areas and professional practice in the prosthetics and orthotics field
• is capable of describing different perspectives on health, disease and disability
• is capable of describing relevant user groups
• is capable of describing the roles and responsibilities of the different healthcare professions
• is familiar with important political guidelines and relevant legislation
• is familiar with the way the Norwegian health service is organised
• is capable of describing the basic properties of materials used to make prostheses and orthoses
• is capable of describing basic production processes
• is familiar with the criteria for cheating and plagiarism in student work

Skills

The student is capable of

• applying ICF's terminology and classification systems
• planning and carrying out simple clinical and technical tasks
• using healthcare, prosthetics and orthotics terminology both orally and in writing
• discussing different forms of communication

General competence

The student is capable of

• discussing the concepts of empathy, respect and human rights
• identifying and describing professional ethical dilemmas with a focus on duty of confidentiality and consent in healthcare practice
• discussing challenges relating to language and culture
• discussing the concept of professionalism
• cooperating with fellow students and lecturers
• using the PICO (Problem Intervention Comparison Outcome) method and conducting literature searches
• searching for quality-assured sources, applying guidelines for source referencing and preparing lists of references

The course presents main social protection strategies with regard to major social risks, as well as evaluation methods to assess the advantages and disadvantages of health and social policy interventions.

None.

A student who has completed his or her qualification has the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student has advanced knowledge of

• social protection strategies, in particular related to major social risks: unemployment, sickness, disability, lack of a provider, child abuse, and old age
• the interplay between protection provided by the state, the voluntary sector, the family and the market
• principles of social insurance and health insurance
• strategies for providing residual or universal social and health assistance
• the extended family as a risk-managing institution
• problems with social protection coverage and strategies for extending coverage
• strategies for efficient delivery of health and social services
• policy evaluation methods in health and social care

Skills

The student can

• identify similarities and differences in social and health protection strategies in high, middle and low income countries
• investigate the arguments for and against public management, public/private partnerships, outsourcing and other strategies with regard to the delivery of publicly provided health and social services
• analyse processes of social/health policy implementation
• evaluate social/health policy outputs and outcomes

The course is organised into a series of lectures and seminars. Students are expected to play an active role. Lectures are given by both the course lecturer and invited lecturers. Students will also be required to present papers, and discuss course themes during lectures and seminars.

Grade scale A-F

Individual six-hour written school examination.