Assessing needs for humanitarian trips abroad

LeGare, Stephanie M

Description

Title:

Assessing needs for humanitarian trips abroad

Creator:

LeGare, Stephanie M

Date:

2/12/2009

Text:

A few questions for orthotists who have experience in medical and P&O humanitarian trips outside of the United States :



 

·       What needs are there for orthotic devices while working abroad? (custom and off-the-shelf)



 

·       What types of orthotic devices would you need access to or have you fit previously while working abroad?



 

o        Do you feel that as an orthotist working abroad, you would have a need for lumbrosacral and thoracolumbrosacral corsets or other types of off-the-shelf spinal orthotic devices?



 

o        What types of upper extremity orthotic devices are being used by orthotists during humanitarian trips abroad?



 



 

I am trying to determine what types of orthotic devices are more likely to be fit or delivered by orthotists working abroad, compared to those that might be provided by other medical professionals traveling with surgical teams, etc. (for example, an orthotist may be more likely to fit an AFO abroad, whereas a surgical team would have greater use for a knee immobilizer)



 

This information will help us determine how to organize the Prosthetics and Orthotics Components Clearinghouse (POCC), which provides prosthetic and orthotic devices and components to medical professionals who need supplies for humanitarian trips outside of the United States . ( <URL Redacted> ) POCC works closely with Medshare International, which redistributes surplus medical supplies to improve healthcare abroad ( <URL Redacted> ). Orthotic devices donated to POCC that are less likely to be delivered by an orthotist abroad will be transferred to Medshare, allowing other medical professionals access those devices for medical-based trips abroad.



 

For more information about POCC, be sure to visit our session at the Academy Meeting on Friday, March 6 th : A Model Program to Coordinate Prosthetic & Orthotic Outreach (P.O.C.C.) Activities.







 
--
Stephanie LeGare
Masters in Prosthetics and Orthotics 2009
Georgia Institute of Technology

                          

Citation

LeGare, Stephanie M, “Assessing needs for humanitarian trips abroad,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 2, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/230039.