Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics
The Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics is directly concerned with training a cadre of high-quality professionals in prosthetics and orthotics. The expected products of the Department will be Prosthetists and Orthotists. Prosthetists provide patients with prostheses (artificial limbs) to replace amputated hand(s), arm(s), foot/feet or leg(s). The goal of the prosthetist is to provide the patient with increased function, such as walking or grasping. Orthotists on the other hand provide patients with orthoses (braces) that restore function, or stabilize the part of the body in question. Orthotic application includes the spine, cranium, and extremities after injury or disease. The goal of the orthotist is to provide the patient with protection, support, and increased function. Specific activities of the Department will include teaching (through formal didactic, state-of-the-art workshop, clinical and research experiences), design and manufacture/fabrication of orthotic and prosthetic appliances, research, as well as community service and engagement.
Programme Philosophy
The profession of Prosthetics and Orthotics has recently undergone a revolution. Except for the World Wars in the early part of the 20th century, at no other time in history has international interest swung in favour of advancing prosthesis and orthosis design and engineering technology as part of a process of enhancing the lives of people. Many professions (i.e., engineering, computer science, biomechanics, neuroscience and others) have examined the performance of designed prostheses, orthoses or related wearable technology for use by people and other living beings. In many instances, these efforts have failed to produce well-rounded and effective wearable technology for human use. These shortcomings are most likely due to a lack of clinically relevant knowledge and skills of the individuals and institutions engaged in these noble efforts. A common reason for this shortcoming is that engineers, scientists and others do not possess sufficient knowledge and clinical experience to understand the unique needs of persons who wear orthoses and prostheses. On the other hand, most clinicians who possess the knowledge and skills to design orthoses and prostheses wearable technology for people are not equipped with the “know how” to effectively and rigorously apply science and engineering as part of the process of advancing the body of knowledge or to implement effective continuous quality improvement. Bridging this gap in the translation of knowledge between the clinical bedside and research-technology bench is a priority of our Orthotics and Prosthetics programme curriculum.
Relevance of the Programme
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a lack of qualified personnel reduces the quality and quantity of Prosthetic and Orthotic services in a country. WHO further states that there are significant shortages in prosthetics and orthotics personnel in all parts of the world (World Health Organisation. Standards for prosthetics and orthotics, part1: standards. France: WHO; 2017). Incidentally countries affected by this paucity of prosthetics and orthotics professionals include some developed countries which are endowed with multiple training schools. Additionally WHO puts the prevalence of individuals needing Prosthetic and Orthotic services at 0.5% of the total population. Contextualising to Ghana, the figure provided by WHO translates to 150,000 physically challenged individuals for a population of 30,000,000. Also the current patient burden in Ghana stands at a personnel to patient ratio of 1:2,173 (per raw unpublished records of the Ghana Association of Prosthetics and Orthotics) instead of the WHO’s recommended ratio of 1:225 (Guidelines for training personnel in developing countries for prosthetic and orthotics services. Scotland: WHO; 2005). Hospitals managed and supervised by the Ministry of Health provide healthcare services to persons with disabilities. The Ministry of Youth and Sports as well as the National Sports Authority, manage Paralympics sports from the grassroots to National and International levels. This situation provides further justification to train Prosthetic and Orthotic Practitioners to ensure adequate supply of rehabilitation appliances for better patient management as stated in the Persons with Disability Act, 2006; Act 715. There is therefore a dire and urgent need for prosthetists and orthotists in Ghana.
Unfortunately, in Africa, tertiary institutions offering programmes in Prosthetics and Orthotics are rare. Currently, no University in Ghana and the West African Sub region offers degree programmes in Prosthetics and Orthotics.
The Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics in SAHS of UHAS is blazing the trail in formal graduate training in this rare academic discipline to fill the huge personnel gap.
Programme Aim and Main Objectives
The overall goal of the department is to contribute towards improving the quality of life of persons with congenital or accidental lifespan disabilities. The mission of the department is to offer safe, high quality and excellent knowledge and competency based training programmes in Prosthetics and Orthotics which will equip graduates with skills in design and fabrication of rehabilitation appliances to help the physically challenged. The programme will produce qualified personnel who will join the health workforce of the country to provide rehabilitative services to the physically challenged population of the country. Availability of more professionals will address the challenge of the skilled labour requirement for an increase in accessibility of physical rehabilitation services. Qualified prosthetists and orthotists will play a significant role in the physical rehabilitation of people with disability and their reintegration into society.
Other objectives are:
1. To train high calibre professionals in the unique discipline of Prosthetics and Orthotics who can rise to the highest levels so as to better contribute to policy formulation and implementation.
2. To train students with a degree qualification that will serve as the foundation for them to pursue relevant Postgraduate degree(s) in Prosthetics and Orthotics or other related disciplines.
3. To bring visibility to the department and the university since the programme will be the first of its kind in the sub-region.
4. To build capacity of technicians with diplomas in Prosthetics and Orthotics.
5. To forge collaborative research partnerships of faculty with other institutions.
6. To develop the next generation of faculty in the Department and for other institutions that run the academic programme in the future.
7. To provide innovative solutions to improve the quality of life of patients with physical disability. Such beneficiaries can then contribute to national development as productive members of society.
8. To save the country foreign exchange by training expertise to treat physically challenged patients locally.
9. To generate funds by offering the programme to international students.
Job Opportunities
- Hospitals
Manage a Prosthetics and Orthotics Department in any hospital and advise hospital management on Prosthetics and Orthotics issues, Provide specialist services - Ministry of Youth and Sports, National Sports Authority or similar Bodies
Manage paralympics sports from the grassroots to national and international levels, Support policy formulation and implementation - Rehabilitation Centres
- Educational Institutions
- Universities and Research Institutions
- Regulatory Bodies for Medical Devices, e. g. Food and Drugs Authority and Ghana Standards Authority
- Private Practice
Opportunities for Further Training
The Bachelor programme offers a strong foundation for further training in the following disciplines:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Medicine
- Dentistry
- Public Health
- Biomedical Technology
- Health Care Management and Administration
- Medical Informatics
- Basic Science
- Sales, Marketing, Product Development
- Law and Public Advocacy
- Education and Leadership