What core knowledge areas define the focus of the clinical pathway for O&P practitioners?
Human anatomy, biomechanics, and patient pathology
The clinical practice path for an Orthotist and Prosthetist is fundamentally centered on the intimate understanding of the human body to ensure that custom-fit devices function optimally within that specific physical environment. Therefore, the educational emphasis is heavily weighted toward subjects directly related to human structure and movement. This includes detailed knowledge of human anatomy to understand underlying structures and potential contraindications; biomechanics, which is the study of the mechanics of living bodies, crucial for load bearing and movement analysis; and patient pathology, which involves understanding the specific diseases, injuries, or conditions affecting the patient that necessitate the custom device.
