Bachelor of Health Sciences in Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to develop a learner's competencies in the knowledge, attitudes, insight and skills required for the orthotic and prosthetic professions. The qualifying learner will be able to competently apply and integrate theoretical principles, evidence-based techniques, practical experience, clinical procedures and appropriate skills. The qualification will produce a well-rounded learner who will be capable of practicing as an orthotic and prosthetic clinician, developing and managing an orthotic or prosthetic clinic or a laboratory or providing services as a private practitioner. The learner will be a team player capable of working in multidisciplinary teams and moving the orthotic and prosthetic professions forward.

Rationale

The need for Medical Orthotists and Prosthetists was identified by the Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Health who approached the institution to provide this qualification to try to alleviate the huge demand for orthotic and prosthetic services in the Province and beyond. This Bachelor of Health Sciences in Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics (BHSc (MOP)) will provide the much needed human resources in the profession of Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics. The Health Professions Council of South Africa has endorsed this qualification.

Learners of this qualification will work independently as Medical Orthotists and Prosthetists, in either public and private sector, for example in hospitals where they will work as clinicians and or private consultants at department of Labour as well as private consultants. The qualification will offer specialised knowledge and skills in Orthotics and Prosthetics that will enable learners to be employable nationally as well as internationally.

The learning pathway available for these learners are the following

Vertically: Masters in Orthotics or Prosthetics and Rehabilitation sciences.

Horizontally: Bachelor of Medical Sciences, and any other relevant Bachelor's qualifications.

The learners that will either hold a Diploma (three/four year's Diploma) in the areas of prosthetics, orthotics or Orthopaedic technology or have extensive experience in the field of Prosthetics and Orthotics or technical/engineering and have recommendations from their employers may apply for admission to this qualification.

The Society will get specialised Medical Orthotic and Prosthetic Clinical Services e.g. provision of Orthoses and prostheses and rehabilitation services. Thus the qualification will enable persons with disabilities to engage in economic activities since their mobility is enhanced with the Orthoses and Prostheses. Learners who establish private Practices will create employment opportunities that will contribute to economic development.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The university uses the RPL Policy for learners who do not have a qualification. The institution admits learners who have experiences in Orthotics and prosthetics who have been working under supervision of registered MOP practitioner for a minimum of 5 years. The learners will provide evidence that they have gained experiences in the field. They need to provide a detailed Portfolio of Evidence.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate (NSC), NQF Level 4, granting access to Bachelor's studies.

Or

• Diploma in Orthotics and Prosthetics, NQF Level 6.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Levels 5, 6, 7 and 8 totalling 480 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 5, 120 Credits

• Anatomy I, 12 Credits.
• Mechanics, 8 Credits.
• Mathematics, 8 Credits.
• Engineering Drawing, 12 Credits.
• Electronics and Electro technology, 8 Credits.
• Computer and Graphical Communication, 8 Credits.
• Orthotic and Prosthetic Laboratory Practice-I, 20 Credits.
• Biomechanics I, 12 Credits.
• Principles of Orthotics and Prosthetics-I, 14 Credits.
• Physiology I, 8 Credits.
• Experiential Learning, 10 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 6, 120 Credits

• Psychology, 8 Credits.
• Orthotic and Prosthetic Clinical Practice-I, 21 Credits.
• Biomechanics II, 12 Credits.
• Anatomy II, 12 Credits.
• Physiology II, 8 Credits.
• Rehabilitation, 8 Credits.
• Pathology I, 8 Credits.
• Clinical studies, 12 Credits.
• Principles of Orthotics and Prosthetics II, 21 Credits.
• Experiential Learning II, 10 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 7, 120 Credits

• Anatomy III, 12 Credits.
• Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing (CAD CAM), 8 Credits.
• Biomechanics III, 14 Credits.
• Ethics and Medical Laws I, 8 Credits.
• Upper Limb Orthotic and Prosthetic Clinical Practice, 26 Credits.
• Spinal Orthotics Clinical Practice, 8 Credits.
• Pathology II, 8 Credits.
• Research Methodology and Statistics, 12 Credits.
• Business Management I, 8 Credits.
• Experiential Learning III, 16 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 8

• Orthotic and Prosthetic Clinical Practice IV, 24 Credits.
• Elective, 16 Credits.
• Research Project, 20 Credits.
• Business Management II, 16 Credits.
• Ethics and Medical Law II, 24 Credits.
• Experiential Learning IV, 20 Credits.

1. Demonstrate effective communication and apply the principles of medical ethics, professional behaviour and the legal framework to the context within which medical orthotic and prosthetic practitioners operate while maintaining personal health, wellness and safety.
2. Independently assess, prescribe, practice, supervise, evaluate and facilitate the provision of medical orthotic and prosthetic care to the community, utilising specialised strategies and technologies.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the management, structure and function of orthotic and prosthetic service systems in South Africa and provide operational and clinical supervision within an orthotic and prosthetic environment.
4. Become a reflective practitioner and lifelong learner within the medical orthotic and prosthetic profession and changing health care environments.
5. Organise and manage self and own activities responsibly and effectively in the provision of optimal clinical care to patients.
6. Understand the world as a set of related systems is indicated in the cultural sensitivity applied when dealing with patients, colleagues and communities.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Demonstrate professional carriage, behaviour and attitudes in all academic and clinical settings.
• Demonstrate optimal expertise and critical knowledge in fundamental and core modules.
• Demonstrate intellectual and clinical independence while ensuring safety of self and others.
• Demonstrate awareness of the consequences of own decisions and actions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of human and sciences underpinning medical orthotic and prosthetic care.
• Apply and transfer techniques, processes, systems or technologies in original, creative and innovative ways appropriate to specialised and complex contexts within the health sciences environment and develop new methods, where appropriate.
• Apply specialist knowledge and theory in critically reflexive, creative and novel ways to address complex practical and theoretical problems within the Health Sciences environment.
• Demonstrate competence in all applications consistently.
• Provide in-service education and training in medical orthotic and prosthetic care.
• Provide independent, specialised orthotic and prosthetic services to all appropriate sectors of the community.
• Apply management, education and research skills during independent practice.

Associated Assessment Criteria Exit Level Outcome 3

• Show an understanding of the position of medical orthotics and prosthetics within the South African Health care system.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the management, structure and function of medical orthotic and prosthetic service systems in South Africa.
• Provide operational and clinical supervision within a medical orthotic and prosthetic environment.
• Demonstrate skills and a capacity for quality assurance in a medical orthotic and prosthetic environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Develop research skills and conduct research in medical orthotics and prosthetics in a multidisciplinary health care environment.
• Demonstrate knowledge of and engagement in an area at the forefront of the field.
• Conceptualise new research initiatives and create new knowledge or practice in medical orthotics and prosthetics.
• Demonstrate research leadership and management of research and research development in an ethical and accountable manner in Health Sciences.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information for the assessment and treatment of patients.
• Demonstrate effective communication, using visual and language skills orally or in writing through the successful treatment or handover of patients for other services.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Demonstrate team work effectively by working with others and in the context of providing services effectively or moving knowledge forward.

Integrated Assessment

• Two assessment tasks will contribute to the semester mark (DP) which contributes 60% of the final module mark, and the final examination contributes 40% of the final mark. Continuous assessment is used to assess learners on Experiential Learning, elective and the Research project.
• These Modules are assessed continuously, and thus have no examination. The supervisors (Preceptors) do continuous assessment of the learner and give marks for the work done. The average of these preceptor marks form the final module marks.