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From the Editor
By Miki Fairley  Three elements are needed to make an outstanding
O&P practitioner: head, hands, and heart. Probably everyone
knows practitioners who do not have a college degree, but through
experience and dedication have become fine practitioners.
Conversely, probably everyone knows someone with a good deal of
"head knowledge," but lacking in the other two essential
qualities.
That being said, just how important is the education level
expected for the O&P profession? How do educational
requirements and attainments affect the view of physicians and
other allied health professionals toward O&P? How do increased
levels of education affect the quality of practice? What about the
shortage of O&P professionals with the university education
necessary for research and teaching?
An educator noted any changes in required educational standards
will not impact the field right away, since the numbers graduated
annually from the O&P schools are small. They will, however,
affect the future of O&P and new practitioners entering the
profession. As the number of people needing O&P care increases
with an aging population, who will fill the gap if there are not
enough qualified prosthetists and orthotists available? Somebody
will. Educational standards and requirements involve complex
issues with no simple, easy answers. But what today's O&P
practitioners, educators, and business owners decide-along with
others with a stake in O&P- will definitely help shape the
future.
What sort of a future do YOU see for the O&P profession?
What do you WANT to see? 
Table Of Contents - September 2002
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