Free Papers: Education and General O&P (AM2025-FP05)

Credit Hours

1.75 Scientific Credits

Learning Objectives

Please see course description.

Course Description

Free Papers: Education and General O&P (AM2025-FP05)

Preceptor Feedback on the Integrated Residency Model
Presenter:  Lisa Abernethy, MSPO, CPO, LPO – Assistant Professor, Baylor College of Medicine, O&P Program
While a few publications have described graduate and student outcomes related to the integrated residency model. No data related to preceptor (or clinical mentor) experience has been evaluated and published. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the experiences and perceptions of clinical preceptors who work with integrated model residents from at least one integrated program.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will describe the approach to evaluating clinical mentor or preceptor feedback.
• Participants will evaluate preceptor satisfaction with an integrated residency program and resident performance.
• Participants will discuss opportunities for refining and improving clinical residency integration with an academic program.

Analysis of the Residency Experience in Transfemoral Prosthetics
Presenter:  Denise Hull, CPO – Prosthetist Orthotist, Wheeler Orthotics and Prosthetics
This study explores the residency experience in Orthotics and Prosthetics, focusing on transfemoral prosthetic competency. Through retrospective analysis, it quantifies patient encounters, resident engagement levels, and compares these findings with industry standards. The results highlight pathways to enhance clinical training consistency and readiness for entry-level practice.

Learning Objectives:

• Upon completion, participants will be able to recognize limitations of current residency systems with regard to transfemoral patient care.
• Upon completion, participants will be able to define baseline metrics for transfemoral patient encounters during an integrated residency program.
• Upon completion, participants will be able to discuss implications of gathered baselines and evaluate ways to improve consistency in the residency experience.

Characterizing the Prevalence of Pelvic Floor Disorders in People with Lower Limb Amputation
Presenter:  Sheila M. Clemens, PT, MPT, PhD – Assistant Professor, University of Kentucky
Pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) affect millions of people, potentially affecting quality of life. Understudied in males, PFDs are even more poorly understood in people with physical disabilities like lower limb amputation. This is the first study to report on evidence of PFDs in people with unilateral lower limb amputation.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the prevalence of pelvic floor disorder symptoms in people with unilateral lower limb amputation.
• Discuss differences in scores on measures of pelvic floor disorder symptoms based on sex, and history of low back pain and falls.
• Acknowledge the potential impact that undetected pelvic floor disorders may have on functioning and quality of life in a lower limb prosthetic wearer.

Participation in Work Life of Individuals Living with Transfemoral Amputation Using a Microprocessor-controlled Prosthetic Knee Joint: Results of a Digital Patient Survey
Presenter:  Andreas D. Hahn, PhD – Corporate Vice President Clinical Research & Services, Otto Bock Healthcare Products GmbH
One important aspect of the burden of disease and one of the most important rehabilitation goals is participation in work life (PW) and return to work (RtW).
PW/RtW characteristics as well as the benefits of using MPKs will be given based on responses from 520 participants in a digital survey.

Learning Objectives:

• Upon completion participants will understand why microprocessor-controlled knee joints should be considered for patients with the potential to return to and participate in work life.
• Upon completion, participants will comprehend the factors and patient characteristics that influence the likelihood of participating in work life and returning to work, as well as the novel factors revealed for MPKs.
• Upon completion, participants will be able to understand that the proportion of survey responder who have been employed is almost comparable to the national cohort.

Exercise and Telehealth: Adherence to Home Walking and Targeted Exercise Program for Lower Limb Loss
Presenter:  Robert Gailey, PhD, PT, FAPTA – Professor, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
ReLOAD provides targeted exercises based on objective outcome measures, enables clinicians to modify the home exercises over time and monitoring walks with the prosthesis while providing real-time audio feedback can improve prosthetic function and mobility. Improved patient adherence to prosthetic walks and exercise can improve prosthetic function while reducing the burden to patients and clinicians alike.

Learning Objectives:

• Upon completion attendees will be able to identify key outcome measures that relate to physical limitations
• Upon completion attendees will be able to identify key exercises that reduce to physical limitations related to prosthetic use
• Upon completion attendees will be able to discuss the use of real-time audio feedback and how it can improve prosthetic walking capabilities

Presenter Name(s)

• Curt Bertram, CPO, FAAOP
• Lisa Abernethy, MSPO, CPO, LPO
• Denise Hull, CPO
• Sheila M. Clemens, PT, MPT, PhD
• Andreas D. Hahn, PhD
• Robert Gailey, PhD, PT, FAPTA