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Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association

Industry Sustainability

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Orthotic and Prosthetic Industry Sustainability Statement

The Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association Inc. (AOPA) is the peak representative professional body for prosthetists and orthotists in Australia.  Currently AOPA has over 300 members, which represents more than 80% of all practicing professionals in Australia.

Prosthetists are responsible for the clinical care and the fitting of artificial limbs for amputees.  Prosthetic services are provided immediately post-operatively in hospitals as part of the rehabilitation program for amputees. These services continue throughout the amputee's life. 

Orthotists are responsible for the fitting of devices which apply external forces to the body for the purpose of support and alignment, reducing pain or enhancing mobility.  The delivery of orthotic services also occurs in acute hospital settings for a broad range of clinical presentations, such as spinal trauma.  Orthotic services are also provided for rehabilitation and ongoing care for clients with a diverse range of presentations such as cerebral palsy, polio, and sporting injuries.

Orthotic and prosthetic workforce in Australia

Prosthetists serve the amputee community in Australia.  Amputees represent a surprisingly large group in Australia. There are more than 20,000 amputees currently living active lives. There are 2,500 new amputees per annum in Australia.  75% of amputations occur as a result of vascular disease, and 75% of all amputees are over 60 years of age.  The remaining 25% of amputations result from trauma (road & work), tumor and congenital deficiencies.

Orthotists care for a large and diverse group of Australians.  Orthotists practice in both short-term acute and long-term rehabilitation settings.  Orthoses may be provided for all parts of the body, ranging from complex spinal braces following road trauma, to conditions requiring the application of foot orthoses.  Orthotists serve a population of 275,000 Australians requiring assistance in daily life.

The current education of prosthetists & orthotists consists of a 4-year master's course, and is currently only available at LaTrobe University in Melbourne.  An annual intake of 30 students does not currently meet national demands.  Currently there are 350 professionals delivering prosthetic and orthotic care to the Australian population.  Independent studies have shown significant shortages of practitioners currently exist. Whilst Victoria is well served with professionals (due to LaTrobe University being in Melbourne), all other states of Australia have significant shortages.  International benchmarks suggest Australia requires more than double the number of prosthetists and orthotists to meet community requirements.

Cost benefit of orthotic and prosthetic intervention

Independently determined benchmarks suggest resources and funding for prosthetic and orthotic services are equally deficient.  Studies have shown the provision of well planned prosthetic and orthotic services greatly reduce total health budgetary costs.  These cost reductions can be measured through a range of outcomes including a significant decrease in hospital bed stay, through to more rapid re-integration of the individual back into their community, and increased re-employment prospects.

Funding of orthotic and prosthetic services

The majority of funding for prosthetic and orthotic treatment is provided by state governments under a range of diverse programs.  The provision of services in hospital settings are generally funded by the hospital.  However long-term rehabilitation programs and ongoing life-long care are generally not funded.  Funding varies greatly from state to state, with some states able to provide funding for worlds best practice care, whilst other states are comparatively poorly resourced, resulting in the development of services that may be considered as falling short of international benchmarks.

Unfortunately only a limited number of private health insurance funds subsidise orthotic services and none of these insurers subsidise prosthetic services.  Government resources provided through varied programs have been in decline in real-terms over the past decade. A coordinated approach to funding and service provision at local, state and federal levels is required to ensure successful outcomes.

Closing statement

Australian prosthetic and orthotic professionals are considered amongst the most highly trained and capable globally.  We are seen as tremendously innovative and carry an international reputation for being committed to the delivery of world leading standards of care.

We continue to strive to improve the lives of all Australians requiring prosthetic and orthotic care.

Last Updated ( Thursday, 15 July 2010 12:25 )
 

What is an Orthotist?

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An Orthotist (pron: Ortho-tist) is an allied health professional and clinician who practices in public hospitals or the private sector.

The Orthotist's role is to assess, prescribe, apply and provide education regarding the use and care of an appropriate orthosis that serves the individual's requirements.

An orthosis is the true term for a brace or appliance that is designed and fitted to the body to achieve one or more of the following goals:

  • Control biomechanical alignment
  • Protect and support a healing injury
  • Assist rehabilitation
  • Reduce pain
  • Increase mobility
  • Increase independence

Commonly prescribed orthoses include;

  • Foot Orthoses, for various foot problems
  • Ankle and Knee Orthoses, for joint protection or support after surgery
  • Fracture Orthoses, the modern alternative to plaster or fibreglass casts
  • Spinal Orthoses, providing low back pain relief or helping control spinal deformities and injuries

There are a wide variety of prefabricated and custom made orthoses used for many musculo-skeletal problems. They are specialised devices should always be fitted by a fully qualified Orthotist.

 

What is a Prosthetist?

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A Prosthetist / Orthotist is an Allied Health Professional who designs, measures, fabricates and fits Prostheses and Orthoses. The Prosthetist / Orthotist upgrades their knowledge, skills and experience to ensure the best possible Prosthesis or Orthoses is provided for each individual. 

A Prosthetist (pron: Pros-the-tist) is an allied health professional who is clinically responsible for assessing, manufacturing and fitting various types of upper and lower limb prostheses (artificial limbs). Prosthetists also provide education and training regarding the use, care and function of prostheses.

All limb prostheses are precision made appliances that are individually designed to restore the function and look of the lost limb as much as possible. Prosthetists assist clients such as children born with congenital limb deficiency, people who have had an amputation following an accident or the elderly who have lost a limb as a result of vascular disease.

Due to modern advances in prosthetic technology, prosthetists to supply lighter, stronger and more naturally functioning prostheses than ever before. Technological advances include the ‘energy storing foot', the ‘microprocessor controlled knee' and the myo-electric (bionic) hand.

 

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AOPA Inaugural CONGRESS 20th to 21st August 2010 at Bayview Eden. AOPA AGM 5pm 20th August after last congress presentation.

Newsflash

AOPA Partners with Guild

As an orthotist / prosthetist, a professional liability claim made against you can affect your career, and lifestyle. That’s why it’s essential to protect yourself appropriately against the potential impact of a professional liability claim.

AOPA recognise the importance of members having the right protection and so, have forged a partnership with the Guild Insurance. As part of the agreement, AOPA refers members to Guild for liabilities and business insurances, while Guild works with AOPA to provide specialist insurances that meets members’ needs.

Consider the following benefits of Guild’s insurance cover, which are key factors in why AOPA choose Guild as the referred provider of liabilities and business insurances for members.

·           Experience in servicing allied healthcare professionals.

Guild insures many allied healthcare professions, and are well positioned to identify risks and deliver solutions to orthotists and prosthetists.

Guild provides trusted services to over 40 professional associations and their members, including podiatrists, osteopaths, physiotherapists and rehabilitation providers, amongst others. Through these relationships Guild has developed an understanding of the insurance needs, and common risks, faced by allied healthcare professionals.

·           Commitment to a prompt and fair claims process.

Unlike insurance brokers or intermediaries, Guild is a direct insurer. This means that Guild issues the insurance cover, so if you need help or advice on insurance matters, you will get a straight answer from the company managing your insurance cover. If you need to make a claim, Guild will work directly with you through the whole process, always keeping your best interests in mind. This is one of the reasons why in a recent survey of Guild claimants 98.5% of respondents said they “would recommend Guild to a colleague”. This is an outstanding result when compared to other providers.*

·           A local team of support with a focus on personal service.

Guild’s national network of regional offices mean you’ll be dealing with a local team working within your state. With Guild’s focus on personal service, there is no need to deal with intermediaries, no phone menus, and no interstate/overseas calls.

 

Insurance for Orthotists & Prosthetists

 

Guild offers AOPA members an Orthotists & Prosthetists Liabilities Insurance. Guild’s insurance is referred to as a ‘combined liabilities cover’ as it combines cover for three key liability risks faced by orthotists & prosthetists, within a single convenient policy.

 

·           Professional Indemnity

·           Public Liability

·           Products Liability

Key service features include:

·           24 hour / 7 day emergency call service

A Guild representative is always on hand to answer your call and provide service.

·           Direct access to qualified legal experts

An in-house team of lawyers experienced in defending claims against allied health professionals is able to provide advice on how to handle the situation that arises. Sometimes the advice of an experienced lawyer is all that’s required to prevent a claim from even occurring.

·           Cover for $25,000 in legal costs

Guild’s policy automatically includes $25,000 cover for legal costs and expenses associated with a disciplinary or coronial investigation, hearing or inquiry. Not all policies offer this cover. Disciplinary matters before Boards can be stressful situations, and not the time that you want to find out that you may also be out of pocket for your legal representation costs.

Guild recognises the importance of looking after individuals, their businesses and their broader professions and has built a strong reputation for delivering on this.

To review your insurance needs talk to a Guild representative on 1800 810 213.

 

Guild Insurance Limited AFSL No. 233791. The Guild Group supports AOPA through the payment of referral fees for certain insurance you take out with Guild Insurance Limited.