title: Undergraduate prosthetics and orthotics programme objectives:a baseline for international comparison and curricular development.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prosthetics and orthotics is a relatively recent addition to the suite of undergraduate professional preparation programmes. There has been limited publication regarding international patterns of curriculum development, particularly concerning how objectives differ across global regions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This paper compares current prosthetics and orthotics curricula from a range of regions and identifies both common and distinctive objectives.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mixed method: document analysis followed by modified Delphi process.
  
  
  METHODS
  Documents were analysed qualitatively to compare various curricula and emergent features were evaluated by a group of expert prosthetics and orthotics instructors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was substantial agreement that programmes should improve student knowledge and understanding. They should establish and extend student fabrication, communication skills and professional co-operation. However, there appeared to be regional differences in the priority given to critical thinking and clinical reasoning; integration of theory and practice and particular approaches to teaching prosthetics and orthotics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study revealed substantial consensus regarding the importance of clear programme objectives dealing with student abilities, professional skills and contemporary understanding. However, this study also revealed regional differences that may well reward further investigation.
authors: University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Gholamreza
authors: G
authors: Aminian
authors: John Mitchell
authors: JM
authors: O'Toole
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D003479:Curriculum / Q000639:trends*; D003697:Delphi Technique; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000639:trends*; D006040:Goals; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D011361:Professional Competence; D016730:Program Development; D019736:Prostheses and Implants