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P&O American Style
By Students of Salford University, Salford, UK  Our first visit in the USA was to the University
of Washington, Seattle, where we met fellow P&O students. Mr.
John Ferguson, senior lecturer in P&O, delivered a warm and
light-hearted presentation which gave insight into the world of
P&O in America. This was most interesting, since it highlighted
the differences between not only our health services but also our
approach to these services. Then we had a chance to socialize with
the students during lunch and enjoy our new friends.
That afternoon we visited the Prosthetics Research Study Center.
The primary focus of this center is to raise awareness of the
importance of research in this area and also the importance of
continued learning amongst surgeons specializing in amputation.
After a drive, a ferry ride, a spectacular view of Mount
Olympus, and another drive, we met with Mr. David Hensley of
Seattle Systems, and, again, with the University of Washington
students. We toured the Seattle Systems facilities and saw some of
the incredibly high-tech machinery used to make its products. For
instance, we saw multiple AFOs being draped, cooled, and ready to
be cut out in under 20 minutes, as well as an amazing water cutter
used to cut the materials to the pattern used in the prosthetic
components. The following day a University of Washington student
partnered with each of us as we all ventured off to various clinics
around Seattle. Here we were exposed to not only the clinical
environment, but also the technical and administrative side of the
businesses. Each of us had different experiences, but I think we
all agreed that this was the best day.
On to Vancouver
We spent the second week of our expedition in Vancouver, Canada.
Our first visit was to Generation II Orthotics, which specializes
in custom knee braces. We were warmly welcomed by the managing
director, Lance Taylor, and shown to a boardroom where we were
provided with, amongst other things, fresh coffee and sunglasses-an
act of great foresight after a late night exploring the local bars
and clubs.
We were given an overview of how Lance's father, Geordie, came
up with a new multiaxial hinge design, leading to the birth of GII
Orthotics. The range of knee braces and their advantages were
discussed, followed by a very interesting tour of the factory, from
the plaster room, where the technicians filled and rectified the
casts, to the shop floor, where the carbon-fiber knee braces were
custom-molded over the casts and the devices finished off by adding
the necessary componentry.
During the day, we saw a vast range of unusual sights, including
a consultation with a stunt man who had sustained collateral
ligament damage whilst working on a recent Hollywood blockbuster, a
knee brace made for a dog that had ruptured a cruciate ligament,
and a knee brace in the midst of fabrication for a 464-lb lady.
Our final visits of the adventure were to two companies located
next door to each other: Pentland Prosthetic and Orthotic Services
Inc and Vorum Research Group. In the morning, Pentland Prosthetic
and Orthotic Services showed us around its relatively small plant
that dealt with both prosthetics and orthotics. After a brief tour
of the establishment, including its CAD/CAM facilities, an
orthotist and prosthetist and a couple of technicians came to talk
to us about the educational programs and qualifications required to
practice in Canada.
We then visited Vorum Research Group, which entertained us with
a very interesting, if not a little commercial, presentation of its
CAD/CAM system. The system can be used to create both prosthetic
and orthotic devices, including body jackets and cranial molding
helmets. Creating a cranial molding helmet was demonstrated by
placing a doll in a special scanning unit and digitizing the
"baby's" head.
A Successful Trip
The trip was hailed as a success. We had come away from all the
venues having learned new things, seen a new technique, or quite
simply being made aware of a technology or practice that we had not
previously known. All this new knowledge with which we were now
armed allowed us to put our accompanying lecturers, Mr. Joe
Wilkinson and Miss Sophie Hill, under pressure by grilling
them-perhaps even they learned something?
Our remaining days were filled with sightseeing, more
thought-provoking conversations, and some slightly more strenuous
recreational activities.
Many thanks to all who helped make our visit abroad so
enjoyable. Also, thanks to June Burgess and Jane Muir of the
British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO), who
organized some work for us and provided us with a charity stall at
the conference last year in Manchester.
We would like to thank all the sponsors for their kind
donations, and also the University of Salford for its continued
support during the trip, and especially Mr. Joe Wilkinson, without
whom the trip may not have been possible.
Despite the hard work and determination involved in raising both
donations and sponsorship, we believe that this field trip will
encourage future P&O students to organize further ventures.
This will help them attain a greater understanding and knowledge of
how prosthetists and orthotists the world over strive to provide
the best possible service and care for each of their patients.
Our Trip to North America: Why?
 The purpose of our field trip abroad was primarily
to further our prosthetic and orthotic knowledge, whilst hopefully
exposing ourselves to a different clinical perspective, not only on
the treatment of patients, the materials used, and the prescription
rationale, but also regarding the organization of the clinical
environment and the services that each center offers it
patients.
How It All Came Together!
The idea for the field trip was first put to us by Mr. Joe
Wilkinson, a lecturer at the University of Salford. After a class
discussion, a group of students were keen to be involved in the
organizing of the trip. So a committee was formed, a bank account
opened, and the fun began.
The first couple of meetings between the committee highlighted
two main areas of concern: where to go and how to pay for it. The
first area, happily and surprisingly enough, was a unanimous
verdict for the USA. Then came the tough one: how to pay. We all
know how hard up students are these days, what with the cost of a
pint spiraling out of control-almost above the two pounds a pint
mark-so there was only one thing for it: cut down our drinking or
start fund raising! Fund raising it was; however, it was decided
that each student would contribute a monthly sum to the bank
account to help. After all, if we weren't going to help ourselves,
then why should anyone help us?
Over the next two years, various parties, raffles, jumper and
t-shirt sales, and sponsored events took place. These events,
together with money that the students had saved, provided us with
most of the money required. The remainder was very kindly donated
by a number of companies within the industry, including Ossur
Europe, Otto Bock, RSL Steeper, Medi UK, Remploy, North Sea
Plastics and BLESMA.
On behalf of all those who benefited from the field trip and
myself, a very big thank you to all who supported
us.-Thomas Ramsay, chairperson, P&O America
2002 
Table Of Contents - March 2003
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