Respones-Fabrication Workshops
Kevin Matthews
Description
Collection
Title:
Respones-Fabrication Workshops
Creator:
Kevin Matthews
Date:
1/20/2008
Text:
Original Post:
I was sent an e-mail today for a fracture casting workshop nearby. I
disregarded it as I have no intention of moving that direction, but it made me
think. Do any of you think a roving casting and fabrication class would be
worth the effort to pursue?
I have put together two video lectures. I had intended on marketing and
distributing them for PCE's but life got in the way. We all need PCE's, why not
get them in something where you might pick up a tactic or two you can use daily.
My forays were the KAFO and the PTB and they're just sitting there. It's too
much work to edit and fine tune, maybe I can do the occasional road trip to
teach how I'm best at it, mano a mano. I taught my KAFO fabrication class at
the spring meeting of TAOP (Texas Assn. of O&P) and am teaching the fabrication
of the full plastic PTB to unweight the foot/ankle complex in this years' annual
TAOP meeting in March.
I have been a fabricator for over 25 years and would like to share my
knowledge and know there are more like me out there. Not selling a product,
just teaching. My questions are these:
Is there a need?
Has anyone tried this before?
Would you attend a local specialized seminar?
Would you send your employees?
Do you like the idea of specific (KAFO, PTB, tone reducing pedi AFO...)
classes
Would you travel to a functioning lab for a better experience?
I'd appreciate your input and will post replies unless otherwise indicated. I
doubt I'm the only person to ever think of this and think it's a good idea. I
hope replies are positive and many old timers like me hit the teaching trail.
Replies:
If this is something you choose to pursue, let me know. The SPC
continuing education department is always looking for good CE courses.
We could certainly discuss how it could work out. The other
opportunity
would be to try the state meetings, there might be an outlet there too.
Sam L. Phillips, PhD, CP, FAAOP
Dean, College of Orthotics and Prosthetics
St. Petersburg College
727-341-4150 Phone
727-341-4152 Fax
Kevin, why not consider writing a technical textbook? We are sorely
missing a good textbook on standard technical fabrication.
always looking for info!
I would be interested in talking to you about letting us sponsor this
workshop for you.
I'm glad to hear it, Kevin. Good luck in your pursuit!
If there's anything I can do to help, let me know. :-)
Kevin would you consider presenting at the annual meeting in Oklahoma
the
last weekend in April? If so respond to this as we are having planning
meeting tomorrow.
I am newly elected as the president and don't have a lot on what we can
do for the speakers but will no more tomorrow. Please respond if you are
interested.
Hi Kevin - I have a few comments for you on your list-serve post. But please excuse the typos as I thumb-type on a cell phone. I am Chief of Orthotics and Prosthetics at the University of Rochester Medical Center and I currently serve as a Board Member with the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists. I think there is a need for on-site training sessions like you describe. In our practice we have a limited budget for continuing ed which we tend to spend on our clinical staff. Mostly because the program at most conferences is geared toward clinicians. There are not many opportunities to get solid, technical, PCEs without significant expense associated with travel, room, meals... Our particular need is to have someone come in for a day and teach advanced Prosthetic fabrication techniques. I'm sure that there are many facilities that would be interested in an opportunity to spend a day with a skilled technician learning new or
alternative techniques. Regarding the video you have already developed, I realize that it is difficult to complete the final editing and polish it up enough to be ready for the masses, but the Academy and O&P Digital Technologies may be able to help with that; depending on how much work it needs. The Academy continues to add modules to the On Line Learning Center and we could use more technical information. There are many registered techs out there who need Pies. This may be a good way to see your project through to completion and give something back to the profession at the same time. I am on the Editorial Board and regularly review items submitted to the Learning Center. If you are interested, I would be pleased to discuss this with you or review your video. Respectfully, Robert Brown, MS, CPO Chief of Orthotics and Prosthetics University of Rochester Medical Center
Kevin
My name is Amit Bhanti and I am a CPO in Illinois. I have my own practice. Right now I am i India, and am launching my company here. It's going to be India's largest P&O distribution company and state of the art c-fab. I have a list of US companies who are commung here thru me, and we are launching next week.
Along with distribution and fab., the main thing we are doing is education. I lecture a lot internationally, and I intend to provide CME for P&O's here. As I travel around, I see people hungry for advanced P&O education, which is not easily available. India has a well developed P&O system with manu BS programs and 3 MS programs running. I think you have a great idea, and I welcome you to India if you like.
Regards
Amit
Amit V Bhanti, CPO
CEO
Total Orthotics & Prosthetics India (P) Ltd.
A-67, Sector 2
NOIDA, UP 201301 INDIA
My name is .... and I am the General Manger of a Large C-FAB in the Midwest and I am here to tell you that there is nothing out there today that we can use to educate new techs. The stuff that these kids are coming out from school with is less than stellar and really are none applicable in our workplace today, with the exception of metal & leather. I cant speak for anybody else but I will let you know that for sure I would be interested for something like this and would probably have that person come here to our facility rather than send my employees out. Please let me know what I can do to help this project as I feel that in the upcoming years as our techs age and the new techs are coming we will be lacking in the educational module for them.
****************
My thanks to those that took the time to reply. I like the textbook idea. It's something I've considered. I envisioned a tips and techniques type book. Rather than focus on step by step fabrication, I would, for example, demonstrate the use of the knee joint alignment fixture to assure balanced and free moving KAFO's or the pelite and leather proximal brim for improved plastic KAFO comfort.
After reviewing the few responses I received I feel that now is apparently not the time for the lecture circuit venture. I think the state meetings are the best place to teach, but there is little or no funding for speakers. I think individuals in other states should follow my lead and volunteer their time and skill to spread their knowledge within their own states. Technical fabrication is an area lagging behind in our continuing educational system. This is an area where practical teaching from someone with real world knowledge, skill and talent can make a significant contribution.
State meeting organizers should pursue known, skilled practitioners and persuade them to share. Pick a topic and teach. It's not that difficult and can have a lasting impact.
Kevin C. Matthews, CO/LO
Certified/Licensed Orthotist
Advanced Orthopedic Designs
12315 Judson Rd. Suite 206
San Antonio, TX 78233
Phone: 210-657-8100
Fax: 210-657-8105
www.AdvancedOrthopedicDesigns.com
I was sent an e-mail today for a fracture casting workshop nearby. I
disregarded it as I have no intention of moving that direction, but it made me
think. Do any of you think a roving casting and fabrication class would be
worth the effort to pursue?
I have put together two video lectures. I had intended on marketing and
distributing them for PCE's but life got in the way. We all need PCE's, why not
get them in something where you might pick up a tactic or two you can use daily.
My forays were the KAFO and the PTB and they're just sitting there. It's too
much work to edit and fine tune, maybe I can do the occasional road trip to
teach how I'm best at it, mano a mano. I taught my KAFO fabrication class at
the spring meeting of TAOP (Texas Assn. of O&P) and am teaching the fabrication
of the full plastic PTB to unweight the foot/ankle complex in this years' annual
TAOP meeting in March.
I have been a fabricator for over 25 years and would like to share my
knowledge and know there are more like me out there. Not selling a product,
just teaching. My questions are these:
Is there a need?
Has anyone tried this before?
Would you attend a local specialized seminar?
Would you send your employees?
Do you like the idea of specific (KAFO, PTB, tone reducing pedi AFO...)
classes
Would you travel to a functioning lab for a better experience?
I'd appreciate your input and will post replies unless otherwise indicated. I
doubt I'm the only person to ever think of this and think it's a good idea. I
hope replies are positive and many old timers like me hit the teaching trail.
Replies:
If this is something you choose to pursue, let me know. The SPC
continuing education department is always looking for good CE courses.
We could certainly discuss how it could work out. The other
opportunity
would be to try the state meetings, there might be an outlet there too.
Sam L. Phillips, PhD, CP, FAAOP
Dean, College of Orthotics and Prosthetics
St. Petersburg College
727-341-4150 Phone
727-341-4152 Fax
Kevin, why not consider writing a technical textbook? We are sorely
missing a good textbook on standard technical fabrication.
always looking for info!
I would be interested in talking to you about letting us sponsor this
workshop for you.
I'm glad to hear it, Kevin. Good luck in your pursuit!
If there's anything I can do to help, let me know. :-)
Kevin would you consider presenting at the annual meeting in Oklahoma
the
last weekend in April? If so respond to this as we are having planning
meeting tomorrow.
I am newly elected as the president and don't have a lot on what we can
do for the speakers but will no more tomorrow. Please respond if you are
interested.
Hi Kevin - I have a few comments for you on your list-serve post. But please excuse the typos as I thumb-type on a cell phone. I am Chief of Orthotics and Prosthetics at the University of Rochester Medical Center and I currently serve as a Board Member with the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists. I think there is a need for on-site training sessions like you describe. In our practice we have a limited budget for continuing ed which we tend to spend on our clinical staff. Mostly because the program at most conferences is geared toward clinicians. There are not many opportunities to get solid, technical, PCEs without significant expense associated with travel, room, meals... Our particular need is to have someone come in for a day and teach advanced Prosthetic fabrication techniques. I'm sure that there are many facilities that would be interested in an opportunity to spend a day with a skilled technician learning new or
alternative techniques. Regarding the video you have already developed, I realize that it is difficult to complete the final editing and polish it up enough to be ready for the masses, but the Academy and O&P Digital Technologies may be able to help with that; depending on how much work it needs. The Academy continues to add modules to the On Line Learning Center and we could use more technical information. There are many registered techs out there who need Pies. This may be a good way to see your project through to completion and give something back to the profession at the same time. I am on the Editorial Board and regularly review items submitted to the Learning Center. If you are interested, I would be pleased to discuss this with you or review your video. Respectfully, Robert Brown, MS, CPO Chief of Orthotics and Prosthetics University of Rochester Medical Center
Kevin
My name is Amit Bhanti and I am a CPO in Illinois. I have my own practice. Right now I am i India, and am launching my company here. It's going to be India's largest P&O distribution company and state of the art c-fab. I have a list of US companies who are commung here thru me, and we are launching next week.
Along with distribution and fab., the main thing we are doing is education. I lecture a lot internationally, and I intend to provide CME for P&O's here. As I travel around, I see people hungry for advanced P&O education, which is not easily available. India has a well developed P&O system with manu BS programs and 3 MS programs running. I think you have a great idea, and I welcome you to India if you like.
Regards
Amit
Amit V Bhanti, CPO
CEO
Total Orthotics & Prosthetics India (P) Ltd.
A-67, Sector 2
NOIDA, UP 201301 INDIA
My name is .... and I am the General Manger of a Large C-FAB in the Midwest and I am here to tell you that there is nothing out there today that we can use to educate new techs. The stuff that these kids are coming out from school with is less than stellar and really are none applicable in our workplace today, with the exception of metal & leather. I cant speak for anybody else but I will let you know that for sure I would be interested for something like this and would probably have that person come here to our facility rather than send my employees out. Please let me know what I can do to help this project as I feel that in the upcoming years as our techs age and the new techs are coming we will be lacking in the educational module for them.
****************
My thanks to those that took the time to reply. I like the textbook idea. It's something I've considered. I envisioned a tips and techniques type book. Rather than focus on step by step fabrication, I would, for example, demonstrate the use of the knee joint alignment fixture to assure balanced and free moving KAFO's or the pelite and leather proximal brim for improved plastic KAFO comfort.
After reviewing the few responses I received I feel that now is apparently not the time for the lecture circuit venture. I think the state meetings are the best place to teach, but there is little or no funding for speakers. I think individuals in other states should follow my lead and volunteer their time and skill to spread their knowledge within their own states. Technical fabrication is an area lagging behind in our continuing educational system. This is an area where practical teaching from someone with real world knowledge, skill and talent can make a significant contribution.
State meeting organizers should pursue known, skilled practitioners and persuade them to share. Pick a topic and teach. It's not that difficult and can have a lasting impact.
Kevin C. Matthews, CO/LO
Certified/Licensed Orthotist
Advanced Orthopedic Designs
12315 Judson Rd. Suite 206
San Antonio, TX 78233
Phone: 210-657-8100
Fax: 210-657-8105
www.AdvancedOrthopedicDesigns.com
Citation
Kevin Matthews, “Respones-Fabrication Workshops,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 1, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/228949.
