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Australian Orthotic and Prosthetic Association

Welcome to AOPA

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Founded in 1975, AOPA is the peak professional body representing orthotists and prosthetists within Australia. AOPA aims to promote the training, education and professional status of orthotists and prosthetists throughout Australia.

Orthotists and prosthetists are allied health professionals who liaise regularly with members of the multidisciplinary health team. The prosthetist/orthotist combines knowledge of anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, pathology and materials with physical skills such as patient assessment, casting, measurement and alignment to provide prosthetic and orthotic treatment, which is specific to each patient managed.

Our Commitment

The Association is committed to provide continuing education of the highest standard. Newsletters, seminars, workshops and publications keep members and industry colleagues up to date on all matters relevant to the profession including the latest clinical and technical research and development. The AOPA Continuing Professional Development Program ensures members are encouraged and rewarded for their continuing education efforts.

Through the Association's work, the profession has gained widespread recognition for professional excellence. Representation to federal and state government, industry stakeholders, employers and the public is made by AOPA on a wide range of issues including qualifications, professional standards and funding matters.

 

What is an Orthotist?

AOPA National Council
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An Orthotist (pron: Ortho-tist) is an allied health professional and clinician who practices in public hospitals or the private sector.

The Orthotist's role is to assess, prescribe, apply and provide education regarding the use and care of an appropriate orthosis that serves the individual's requirements.

An orthosis is the true term for a brace or appliance that is designed and fitted to the body to achieve one or more of the following goals:

  • Control biomechanical alignment
  • Protect and support a healing injury
  • Assist rehabilitation
  • Reduce pain
  • Increase mobility
  • Increase independence

Commonly prescribed orthoses include;

  • Foot Orthoses, for various foot problems
  • Ankle and Knee Orthoses, for joint protection or support after surgery
  • Fracture Orthoses, the modern alternative to plaster or fibreglass casts
  • Spinal Orthoses, providing low back pain relief or helping control spinal deformities and injuries

There are a wide variety of prefabricated and custom made orthoses used for many musculo-skeletal problems. They are specialised devices should always be fitted by a fully qualified Orthotist.

 

What is a Prosthetist?

AOPA National Council
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A Prosthetist / Orthotist is an Allied Health Professional who designs, measures, fabricates and fits Prostheses and Orthoses. The Prosthetist / Orthotist upgrades their knowledge, skills and experience to ensure the best possible Prosthesis or Orthoses is provided for each individual. 

A Prosthetist (pron: Pros-the-tist) is an allied health professional who is clinically responsible for assessing, manufacturing and fitting various types of upper and lower limb prostheses (artificial limbs). Prosthetists also provide education and training regarding the use, care and function of prostheses.

All limb prostheses are precision made appliances that are individually designed to restore the function and look of the lost limb as much as possible. Prosthetists assist clients such as children born with congenital limb deficiency, people who have had an amputation following an accident or the elderly who have lost a limb as a result of vascular disease.

Due to modern advances in prosthetic technology, prosthetists to supply lighter, stronger and more naturally functioning prostheses than ever before. Technological advances include the ‘energy storing foot', the ‘microprocessor controlled knee' and the myo-electric (bionic) hand.

 


Latest News

Newsflash

Indigenous Allied Health Network to be established

In June 2008 the Australian Department of Health and Ageing funded a 12-month project to establish an Indigenous Allied Health Network (IAHN) to increase the representation, recruitment and retention of Indigenous allied health professionals and allied health students in Australian health services. The ultimate aim of the project is to foster the establishment of an Indigenous Allied Health Association.

This project was funded in response to a submission from the Koori OT Scheme in Victoria which had argued that whilst national Indigenous associations exist for doctors, dentists and nurses, there was no such group representing the needs of Indigenous allied health professionals. Allied health services clearly have a key role to play in ensuring improved health and quality of life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples. However, the availability and accessibility of allied health services continues to be limited for Indigenous peoples (NATSIHC, 2003) and the number of Indigenous Australian allied health professionals remains unacceptably low (AHWAC, 2006; SARRAH, 2004).

One of the goals of the IAHN project is to address this under representation of Indigenous peoples within the allied health professions in Australia so that Indigenous Australians have equitable access to allied health services as well as to allied health as a career path.  The need for capacity building within the current allied health workforce under Indigenous direction is a further goal of IAHN so that both Indigenous and non-Indigenous health professionals are equipped to address the complex health issues faced by Indigenous peoples and to work in partnership with Aboriginal Health Workers and others who have high level community knowledge and skills.

The project to establish IAHN commenced in September 2008 and is being auspiced by the Australian Health Professions Association, of which AOPA is a member organisation. The newly-appointed Project Officer of IAHN, Lin Oke, is very keen to hear from Orthotists and Prosthetists who are interested in supporting this initiative.  Please email her on l.oke@ahpa.com.au.

References

Australian Health Workforce Advisory Committee (2006). The Australian Allied Health Workforce – An Overview of Workforce Planning Issues, AHWAC Report 2006.1. Retrieved 29th January, 2008 from http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/amwac/ahwac/pdf/allied_health.pdf.

 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Council (2003). National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health: Framework for action by Governments. Retrieved 29th January, 2008 from www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/2A9BFD59B83FD082CA25747300174526/$File/nsfatsihfinal.pdf

 SARRAH (2004). National Allied Health Workforce Report. Retrieved 29th January, 2008 from www.sarrah.org.au.

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