Supporting a global O&P conversation

The research, development and consultation activities conducted by the O&P Global Project represent the first step toward establishing a global organisation dedicated to enhancing national-level regulation of the orthotist/prosthetist workforce.

The recommendation to establish this global organisation has been shared through the following publications and presentations:

Dillon MP, Ridgewell E, Clarke L. (2023) Strengthening regulation of the orthotic/prosthetic profession to address global challenges and improve access to safe and effective care. Prosthetics and Orthotics International 47(4):p 337-342.

Clarke, L., Puli, L., Ridgewell, E., Dillon, M., & Anderson, S. (2021). Regulation of the global orthotist/prosthetist workforce, and what we might learn from allied health professions with international-level regulatory support: a narrative review. Human Resources for Health, 19(83). 

Clarke, L., Puli, L., Ridgewell, E., Dillon, M. & Anderson, S. (2019). Regulation of assistive technology practitioners to drive workforce training and retention. In: Layton, N. & Borg, J., (Eds). Global perspectives on assistive technology: proceedings of the GReAT Consultation 2019 (pp. 169-190), World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland, 22–23 August 2019. Volume 2. Geneva: World Health Organization.

The Global O&P Project Team convened an inaugural meeting of national associations for orthotists/prosthetists in Kobe, Japan, in October 2019. This meeting was attended by representatives of 18 national associations that represented 12,000 orthotist/prosthetists globally.