Current Status and Position of Orthotics and Prosthetics Education-Its Challenges and Issues

Authors

  • Ayesha Zaheer Visitng Lecturer, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
  • Armghan Anjum Research Officer, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3611-892X
  • Beenish Ali Research Officer, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36283/pjr.zu.14.2/015

Keywords:

Prevalence, Cross-sectional studies, Orthotics, Prosthetics, Education, Rehabilitation

Abstract

Background of the study: Prosthetics and orthotics are essential for individuals with physical limitations as they provide solutions that promote mobility and independence. Like many other places in the world, Punjab Pakistan also has its share of issues in the ever-changing landscape of healthcare including increasing need for Orthotics and prosthesis due to rise in chronic illnesses and age. This study looks at current state and issues of Punjab Pakistan’s orthotics and prosthetics industry using educational challenges encountered by students and professionals. This study also investigates the areas of education in which improvement is significant.

Methodology: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 140. Modified questionnaire was designed. SPSS version 20 had been used.

Results: A total of 39 (56%) students find their orthotics prosthetics and biomechanics course difficult to understand while 15 (22%) students consider these subjects easy. 44 (63%) students considered expenses of education as an economic burden only 13 (19%) can bear the expenses. Satisfaction related to course outline was 39 (56%). students were positive about their courses while when asked whether you considered your curriculum meet international standards, 30 (43%) students agreed, 31 (44%) disagreed.

Conclusion: It is concluded that professionals' and students' access to and delivery of orthotics and prosthetics education was restricted by factors such as a lack of funding, infrastructure, and faculty expertise. There are also areas that need improvement, like curriculum updates, opportunities for practical training, and partnerships with organizations.

Author Biographies

  • Ayesha Zaheer, Visitng Lecturer, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan

    Visitng Lecturer, Government College University

  • Beenish Ali, Research Officer, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan

     

     

References

Adeel M, Chaudhry A. Physical therapy students' perceptions of the educational environment at physical therapy institutes in Pakistan. J Educ Eval Health Prof 2020;17:7.

Adams EJ, Schroth S, Kaundinya T. Student-driven disability advocacy and education within the health professions: pilot survey results from a single-day virtual conference. J Commun Healthc 2023;16(3):255–259.

Kulkarni PG, Paudel N, Magar S, Santilli MF, Kashyap S, Baranwal AK, et al. Overcoming challenges and innovations in orthopedic prosthesis design: an interdisciplinary perspective. Biomed Mater Devices 2023;1–12.

Visagie SJ, Likando CM. An exploration of adherence to the World Health Organization's prosthetic standards in Namibia. Afr J Disabil 2025;14:1614.

Aduayom-Ahego A, Arayama M, Ehara Y. Prosthetic and orthotic students' perceptions on online courses during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. Prosthet Orthot Int 2022;46(3):227–231.

Anderson CB, Kittelson AJ, Wurdeman SR, Miller MJ, Stoneback JW, Christiansen CL, et al. Understanding decision-making in prosthetic rehabilitation by prosthetists and people with lower limb amputation: a qualitative study. Disabil Rehabil 2023;45(4):723–732.

Gosling J, Maritz R, Laplante-Lévesque A, Sabariego C. Lessons learned from health system rehabilitation preparedness and response for disasters in LMICs: a scoping review. BMC Public Health 2024;24(1):806.

Uysal HH, Sahan TY, Keklicek H, Kulunkoglu BA. Effects of online education on prosthetics orthotics education during COVID-19. Prosthet Orthot Int 2024.

Helping Hand for Relief and Development. Persons with disabilities (PwDs) statistics in Pakistan. Islamabad: HHRD; 2012. ISBN: 9789699831003.

Jalali M, Moradi V, Babaee T, Aminian G, Mojgani P, Shahabi S. Online education for prosthetics and orthotics students in the era of COVID-19 pandemic in Iran: challenges, opportunities, and recommendations. BMC Med Educ 2023;23(1):342.

Siriwatsopon J, Samala M, Guerra G, Kongsatan P, Rayothee P. Development of a proposed organizational framework for undergraduate research training in prosthetics and orthotics education. Prosthet Orthot Int 2024.

Kogler GF, Hovorka CF. Academia's role to drive change in the orthotics and prosthetics profession. Can Prosthet Orthot J 2021;4(2).

Kumar A. Current status of prosthetic and orthotic rehabilitation services in India: its issues and challenges. Front Health Inform 2021;10(1):55.

Liaqat M, Shaukat S, Babur MN. Exploring past, present and future of orthotics and prosthetics in Pakistan. Int Islamic Med J 2021;2(2):47–53.

Magnusson L. Professionals’ perspectives of prosthetic and orthotic services in Tanzania, Malawi, Sierra Leone and Pakistan. Prosthet Orthot Int 2019;43(5):500–507.

Mamo HB, Adamiak M, Kunwar A. 3D printed biomedical devices and their applications: a review on state-of-the-art technologies, existing challenges, and future perspectives. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2023:105930.

McDonald CL, Kartin D, Morgan SJ. A systematic review in prosthetics and orthotics education research. Prosthet Orthot Int 2020;44(3):116–132.

McMonagle C, Fraser S. Understanding the induction and settling-in process for students on prosthetic and orthotic practice placements. ISPO 18th World Congress 2021.

Mills JA, Cieza A, Short SD, Middleton JW. Development and validation of the WHO Rehabilitation Competency Framework: a mixed methods study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2021;102(6):1113–1123. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2020.10.129

Olatunji G, Osaghae OW, Aderinto N. Exploring the transformative role of 3D printing in advancing medical education in Africa: a review. Ann Med Surg 2023;85(10):4913–4919.

Shahabi S, Kamali M, Mobaraki H, Shafaroodi N, Saeedi H. Exploring the challenges in orthotics and prosthetics clinical learning environments: a qualitative study. Iran Rehabil J 2019;17(1):31–38.

Sharma Y, Cheung L, Patterson KK, Iaboni A. Factors influencing the clinical adoption of quantitative gait analysis technology with a focus on clinical efficacy and clinician perspectives: a scoping review. Gait Posture 2023.

Spaulding SE, Kheng S, Kapp S, Harte C. Education in prosthetic and orthotic training: looking back 50 years and moving forward. Prosthet Orthot Int 2020;44(6):416–426.

Spaulding SE, Yamane A, McDonald CL, Spaulding SA. A conceptual framework for orthotic and prosthetic education. Prosthet Orthot Int 2019;43(4):369–381.

World Health Organization. World Health Organization Conference (WHO). Geneva: WHO; 2017.

World Health Organization. WHO standards for prosthetics and orthotics. Geneva: WHO; 2017. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.

Idoko N. Challenges faced by orthotists and prosthetists in Nigeria. Professions.ng [Internet]. Available from: https://professions.ng/challenges-faced-by-orthotists-and-prosthetists-in-nigeria/. Accessed 2024 Jun 24.

Downloads

Published

2025-07-07

Metrics