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As I complete the final semester of my bachelor of applied science degree in orthotics and prosthetics at the J. E. Hanger College of Orthotics and Prosthetics at St. Petersburg College, Florida, I have been surprisingly busy. I think I was expecting a lighter workload this semester to provide more time to establish a residency. I should know better by now.
Surprising Challenges
Even though I'm at the end of my O&P education program, this semester has not been without its challenges. My week starts off with Practice Management, a two-hour course that reviews requirements for running a successful orthotic and prosthetic business. The course focuses on the laws and ethics that relate to O&P practice management as well as business-development strategies.
Next up is Upper Extremity Orthotics, a comprehensive course taught by Jim Barr, CPO. At first I wasn't sure why this course had been left to the last semester of the program, but once I received my first lab assignments, it quickly became evident. I'm using the metal-bending and plastic-grinding skills from Lower Extremity Orthotics II, but for this course, the grinds and bends seem minuscule compared to the larger adjustments made to an AFO. To show us how we should tackle various conditions, the instructor shares some of the unique challenges with which his patients have presented.
In my Upper Extremity Prosthetics course, the most difficult aspect is learning about all of the different co-anomalies that appear in congenital upper-limb defects in addition to the different upper-limb components. My instructor for this course is Angela Courtade, CPO. Before beginning the course, I met my instructor's husband, who warned me that his wife is one "demanding instructor." She has yet to confute his statement. While the course is challenging, it's interesting to learn about the new-to-me content, such as componentry, sockets, and anatomy.
Long-time Favorites
The O&P Clinical Rotation Practicum remains my favorite class. During this course, I am required to spend at least 104 hours per semester shadowing a practicing orthotist or prosthetist. I get the opportunity to see non-professional patients, which gives me a more realistic preview of what my future as a clinician will look like. It also gives me a great opportunity to network with potential future employers. For this semester's clinical rotation, I have been assigned to the O&P department at Shriners Hospitals for Children (SHC), Tampa, and am enjoying it immensely. They see a steady stream of patients, many with unique conditions that you would not see in most practices.
Being in a pediatric hospital is substantially different from working with the patient population I have observed through my previous clinical rotations. It's refreshing to see the little smiling faces that decorate the halls at "The Shrine," and it's a privilege to work with such a great group of pediatric O&P practitioners. I appreciate that they take the time to explain the different diagnoses, as well as which treatments do and don't work. To add to this discussion, once I get home and look up more information on any given diagnosis, more often than not, the article I find has been written by practitioners from Shriners Hospitals. Too bad they don't accept residents—I know of a lot of students in my program who would want to complete their residencies at SHC.
Looking Back
While I am excited to be graduating and entering O&P as a future CPO, I will definitely miss the O&P program at St. Petersburg. Arlene Gillis, CP, the director of clinical education, does a tremendous job of ensuring that the program runs smoothly. She always makes time for students. She is currently shaping a master of science in prosthetics and orthotics (MSPO) program here at St. Petersburg College, and it is exciting to see the program grow.
As I look back and realize how much I have learned—most of which I didn't know that I didn't know—the greatest part has been the journey and all of the wonderful people I have met, learned from, and learned with. I've always told myself that anyone is capable of anything if they put forth the effort, and I believe it is true. So now, my next effort will be to take on the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics (ABC) exams!
Michael Carroll is a senior at St. Petersburg College (SPC), Florida. He has been sharing his experiences with The O&P EDGE as he completes his bachelor's degree in orthotics and prosthetics.
