Select Page

Our Mission: Improving lives through education

Recently, all levels of education across the nation has been called upon to alter the delivery system to exclude brick and mortar design in favor of online delivery to protect the masses as we work together to secure the future. The orthotic and prosthetic profession is no different. NCOPE continues to work remotely and tirelessly to manage the dynamic landscape of orthotic and prosthetic education. The faculty of the O and P schools, in conjunction with NCOPE, are working on curriculum adjustments to help the students navigate challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic while ensuring attainment of required skills and competencies defined in our educational standards.

Many orthotic and prosthetic clinical practices also host orthotic and prosthetic residents,  individuals who have completed rigorous graduate-level academic training gaining real-world exposure.  In other areas of healthcare, resident physicians have helped bolster the healthcare systems capacity, and COVID-19 has created learning opportunities early in their medical careers. The current healthcare environment can also create unique learning opportunities for orthotic and prosthetic residents to deliver essential care under the supervision of qualified practitioners while enhancing their clinical skills.

Recognizing orthotic, prosthetic, and pedorthic professionals as providers of essential care grants assurance that patients can receive appropriate care promptly.  Granting access to a qualified orthotic, prosthetic, or pedorthic provider will also reduce demand on other members of the healthcare team who can then direct their effort to the care of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and other emergent issues.  Providing patients access to essential services delivered in alignment with CDC guidelines is imperative during these trying times, but it can only occur if all members capable of providing these services are accessible.

NCOPE also recognizes that state and local governments may dictate policy or operating procedures disrupting direct patient care experiences required to train future O and P professionals. The NCOPE board is closely monitoring the current environment and engaged in constant communication with one another to recognize possible scenarios that require input and action to ensure our mission. Moving through these difficult times, NCOPE is working hard to maintain the goal: strengthen education and clinical experiences.

For additional questions, please contact us at 703-836-7114 or visit the NCOPE website www.ncope.org for updates.

Updated April 1, 2020 to include resource links for residency and education stakeholders.