The WHO made this analysis in 2018: “Globally, more than 1 billion people need 1 or more assistive products. With an ageing global population… more than 2 billion people will need at least 1 assistive product by 2030, with many older people needing 2 or more.” Our profession needs to meet this challenge and avail itself of the opportunities it provides. One step is to begin building a directory of LINKS to materials already posted on the internet as well as developing new videos.
The goal is to create an open and vetted video resource for instructors, students, practitioners, technicians, therapists, and patients. The basic idea is a simple one: create a free online video directory that organizes and validates content of links to posted non-commercial orthotic and prosthetic subject matter. The project would require certified professional support for “vetting” to assure materials meet professionally accepted standards and are of non-commercial or proprietary nature.
There are numerous organizations, businesses, and individuals that have provided on-line materials on the web in scattered places that have interesting and helpful links. However there is not presently a website which aggregates and evaluates useful video material with O&P content in a searchable manner. Detailed procedures of how to evaluate, measure, design, fabricate, and fit the most common needed devices and supply instructions for patients remains largely untouched. Unfortunately a common problem is even when these resources are created they are often deemed proprietary, restricted, and difficult to find.
oandpvideos.com was created to serve as an illustration of a potential website design and contains links to videos already posted on the web.