Practice Analysis of ABC Certified Assistants in the Disciplines of Orthotics and Prosthetics

Each respondent was given the opportunity to respond to a series of four open-ended questions regarding the O&P profession in general and aspects of their own work life in particular. Brief synopses of the most common responses to each question are provided below as well as responses to reasons for pursuing the assistant credential(s).

1.   In the next three years, what changes in the profession do you think will occur with regard to changes in technology

• Most respondents felt that the technology supporting orthotic and prosthetic practice would continue to improve in all aspects of the profession.
• New materials and components will be introduced, and current materials would be improved (lighter, stronger, smaller, etc.).
• Screening techniques and devices would become more sophisticated and accurate.
• Computer-based/electronic technology in assessment, scanning, design, fitting and documentation will increase.
• Computer-assisted devices will become more common.
• Microprocessors will improve (faster, smaller, lighter) and become more affordable.
• New technologies and devices may be unaffordable for many patients; insurance may not cover new and improved devices.

2.   In the next three years, what changes in the profession do you think will occur with regard to increased responsibility?

• Assistants will have more responsibilities in all aspects of practice, particularly if certified orthotists and prosthetists spend more time on the business aspects of practice.
• Patient care responsibilities will increase.
• Assistants will do more patient assessment and initial evaluations.
• Assistants will have more responsibilities for documentation and billing for insurance purposes.
• Government and insurance regulations may have an impact on assistants’ roles and responsibilities; the scope of practice may need to expand.
• Assistants will be taking on more responsibilities to allow certified orthotists and prosthetists to grow business and see more patients

3.   In the next three years, what changes in the profession do you think will occur with regard to credentialing (licensing and certification)?

• Licensure will be required in more states.
• Educational requirements will increase and be more stringent (there were different opinions on whether this is good or bad).
• CEUs will be required and will be harder to obtain.
• Certification will become more expensive.
• With increasing educational requirements to become a practitioner, more people will opt to become assistants.

4.   In the next three years, what changes in the profession do you think will occur with regard to quality of care?

• Patient care will improve due to increased knowledge and abilities.
• Patient care will be negatively impacted due to increased workloads and responsibilities.
• Difficulties with insurance reimbursements will hurt patients who may not be able to obtain needed devices and services.
• Extension of care provided by assistants will help O&P practitioners provide better services to patients.
• Patients will be better informed and have greater confidence in care provided by assistants.

Reasons for Pursuing Credential

As part of the study’s goal of exploring routes to certification as an O&P assistant, respondents were asked an open-ended question about what had led them to pursue their ABC COA, CPA or CPOA credential. A variety of reasons for obtaining the credential were cited. Among the most common were:

• A desire for career advancement, including better job opportunities and increased pay.
• Respondent already performed the responsibilities of the role and the credential formalized this.
• Respondent is an amputee and wanted to help others in same situation.
• Credential seemed like a logical fit to a career ladder toward increasingly greater levels of responsibility, in some cases on the route to attaining the certified practitioner credential.
• Increased eligibility requirements for CO and CP made it difficult to pursue; the assistant credential is more attainable.
• Employer suggested/required it as a condition of maintaining employment or to provide benefit to employer.
• To provide better care for patients.
• To increase knowledge and skills.
• Personal and professional growth.