Practice Analysis of ABC Certified Mastectomy Fitters

The American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics (ABC) is an organization with the mission "to establish and advocate for the highest patient care and organizational standards in the provision of safe and effective orthotic, prosthetic and pedorthic services." The ABC Certified Mastectomy Fitter (CFm) credential focuses on breast prostheses and post-mastectomy items and services. This includes patient assessment, formulation of a treatment plan, implementation of the treatment plan, follow-up and practice management.

A practice analysis is designed to obtain descriptive information about the tasks performed on a job and the knowledge needed to adequately perform those tasks. The purpose of the practice analysis was to:

• develop the content outline for the ABC Certified Mastectomy Fitter (CFm) credential
• develop tasks and knowledge related to the work performed by CFm professionals; and

Conduct of the Practice Analysis

The practice analysis consisted of several activities: background research; a panel expert review; and development of the content outline for the ABC Certified Mastectomy Fitter (CFm) credential. The successful outcome of the practice analysis depended on the excellent information provided by the CFm professionals who participated in the study.

Background Research

The development of new task and knowledge statements commenced with a review of the existing task and knowledge statements. Additional information was gathered from reference materials and the opinions of the experts participating in the Task Force.

Panel Review/Content Outline Development

An expert panel convened on July 13, 2019 in Alexandria, Virginia. The panel of experts was presented with an overview of the ABC CFm credential and the purpose of conducting a practice analysis. The panel reviewed the draft task and knowledge statements and made additional changes based on consensus regarding the final list of task and knowledge statements.

The expert panel used the final version of the approved list of task and knowledge statements to create the content outline that will guide the development of the ABC Certified Mastectomy Fitter (CFm) credential.

Summary

In summary, this study used a sound approach to identify the tasks and knowledge that are important to the competent  performance of CFm professionals. The practice analysis process allowed for input from a representative group of professionals who currently practice mastectomy fitting and was conducted within the guidelines of professionally sound practice.

The results of the practice analysis can be used by the American Board for Certification to develop the Certified Mastectomy Fitter (CFm) credential.