Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused disruption to continuing educational opportunities for hand therapists. In response, some courses were offered via online platforms, including virtual orthotic fabrication courses. It is important to determine the effectiveness and benefits of these courses for educating certified hand therapists and examine if remote learning of orthotic fabrication skills has continued merit and relevance.
Purpose: To investigate the value and effectiveness of orthotic fabrication courses taught in a virtual format.
Study Design: Cross-sectional, mixed methods survey study.
Methods: A 31-item survey consisting of Likert-type, direct response, and open-ended questions about experiences and opinions of virtual orthotics courses was electronically delivered to certified hand therapists. Data analysis included descriptive and correlational statistics to highlight frequencies, ranges, and relationships between the participant demographics and opinions/experiences. Thematic analysis guided the coding of the qualitative data.
Results: A total of 459 responded, with a response rate of 9.7%. Most respondents had not participated in online courses on orthotic fabrication. Those that did reported high satisfaction but noted that clinical experience and knowledge from previous courses influenced this experience. Most participants felt that novice clinicians and students would not gain enough skills and confidence from online courses. However, participants with all levels of experience found the courses to be of value.
Conclusions: Results suggest that while online learning of this skill set is valuable and effective, it is most beneficial for experienced clinicians. Disadvantages included the lack of instructor feedback necessary for hands-on skill development and the lack of peer interaction. Advantages included convenience of time, cost, accessibility, and the ability to revisit the topic as needed. Online learning of orthotic fabrication skills is a sustainable option for clinicians seeking to advance their skills. Nevertheless, it is not a substitute for initial training for novice hand therapists due to the lack of feedback and skill development.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jht.2023.11.002 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Orthotists' perspectives on the adjustment of 3D printed ankle foot orthoses: A mixed methods feasibility study.
Prosthet Orthot Int
January 2025
School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.
Background: An important part of the orthotic treatment process includes performing adjustments to the shape or design of the orthosis to improve its fit and function. However, the ability to adjust 3D printed (3DP) materials is not well understood.
Objectives: (1) To evaluate the usability of completing adjustments on 3DP ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) vs.
Impact of a Dynamic Orthosis on Manual Dexterity Among People With Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized Trial.
Am J Occup Ther
January 2025
Josefa González-Santos, PT, PhD, is Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Burgos, Burgos, Spain.
Article Synopsis
- A dynamic elastomeric fabric orthosis shows potential as a non-drug treatment for improving motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease patients, specifically aimed at enhancing manual dexterity.
- In a study involving 60 participants, the experimental group used the orthosis for two months, with assessments measuring manual dexterity before and during its use.
- While some participants exhibited short-term improvements in manual dexterity while wearing the orthosis, these enhancements were not maintained once the device was removed.
Gait Acquisition with a Quadrilateral Socket after Ultra-short Transfemoral Amputation because of Staphylococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome.
Prog Rehabil Med
November 2024
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.
Background: Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) is a notifiable disease under Japan's Infectious Disease Control Law and has become a pandemic following COVID-19. STSS often leads to necrotizing fasciitis, with a mortality rate exceeding 30%. Even in surviving patients, limb amputations are common.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEvidence Supporting Conservative Scar Management Interventions Following Burn Injury: a review article.
J Burn Care Res
November 2024
School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Conservative management for hypertrophic scars (HSc) and scar contractures is of utmost importance to optimally reintegrate burn survivors into society. Many conservative treatment interventions have been described in the literature for the management of HSc. Recent advancements in the literature pertaining to post-burn scarring and HSc formation, have advanced our understanding of the mechanisms that support or refute the use of common rehabilitation treatment modalities after burn injury.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEffect of different corrective force directions applied by spinal orthoses on the patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
BMC Musculoskelet Disord
November 2024
Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Background: Spinal orthoses are commonly prescribed for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), yet their three-dimensional correction was not fully understood. The amount of deformity control largely depends on the corrective forces applied, which remain empirically based due to a lack of consensus on optimal force application. This study investigated the effects of different corrective force directions exerted by spinal orthoses on patients with AIS.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!