Supporting P&O Rehabilitation in Other Countries
Many practitioners are interested in contributing the development of P&O rehabilitation elsewhere in the world, and are willing to devote substantial personal time and resources to do so. An increasing number of P&O outreach programs are now being supported by governmental and non-governmental organizations, particularly in developing countries. But, it is often difficult to determine how best to convert collegial enthusiasm into effective and sustainable local support.
This topic has triggered some passionate discussion in earlier Corners about the effectiveness of donating used components for re-use in non-industrialized regions of the world. Other potentially controversial issues include the impact of short-term efforts to provide direct patient care, the difficulty in providing effective follow-up in remote regions, and the impact of community based rehabilitation programs that empower people with disabilities to become their own low-tech orthotist or prosthetist.
In January, the US Member Society of the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics will be sponsoring a unique two-day conference in Orlando, Florida called "Reaching Beyond Our Borders" that will take a comprehensive look at a variety of outreach alternatives. The speakers are a who's who of internationally acknowledged experts with decades of personal and professional experience across the globe. Topics covered will include "Recycling Equipment: Do's and Don'ts", "Cultural Sensitivities", "Innovative Approaches to Prosthetic Fitting", and "How To Get Involved".
Anyone who has thought about participating in prosthetic and orthotic outreach projects, either now or in the future, should plan to attend this one-of-a-kind program. There will never be a better opportunity to learn from international experts in this area, to ask questions first-hand, or to network with other practitioners who have donated their expertise to advance the state of patient care worldwide.
Click here to download the preliminary program (PDF). For more information, visit the US-ISPO web site or contact Dianne Farabi:
US ISPO
PO Box 3188
Dublin, OH 43016
day phone: (614) 659-0197
fax: (614) 336-8596
dfarabi@columbus.rr.com
NOTE: In order to view or print PDF files, you will need the Adobe Acrobat plug-in, which can be obtained free of charge from the Adobe web site.
|
|