Pedorthist
Encyclopedia
Pedorthist is the title of a health care professional
who specializes in the use of footwear and supportive devices to address conditions which affect the feet and lower limbs. They are trained in the assessment of lower limb anatomy and biomechanics
, and the appropriate use of corrective footware - including shoe
s, shoe modifications, foot orthoses and other pedorthic devises. “Certified Pedorthist” is a title used by both the College of Pedorthics of Canada as well as the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC). However in many jurisdictions the practice of pedorthists is self-regulated; professional certification
is voluntary.
as well as the College of Pedorthics of Canada describe a Pedorthist as such:
A pedorthist is an individual who is trained in the manufacturing, fitting and modification of foot appliances and footwear to assist in:
A Certified Pedorthist, or C.Ped (C), is a practitioner who provides:
Canadian pedorthists consult with patients based on a referral from a prescribing healthcare professional such as a family physician
, and are integrated members of health care teams, focused on helping patients achieve and maintain proper foot care and health.
To be eligible for the C.Ped (C) examination, pedorthists trained in Canada achieve their designation through one of two ways. The first requires a diploma in Pedorthics from the University of Western Ontario
(UWO) and a membership in good standing with the Pedorthic Association of Canada
.
The second option requires a university degree in any health science, science, or engineering program. A candidate may hold a university degree with a supplementary diploma in chiropody/podiatry
, chiropractic
or orthotist. The core competencies required from a recognized university or college include: anatomy
, biomechanics
/gait analysis
, medical conditions/disease, physical assessment and ethics.
Candidates without a UWO Diploma in Pedorthics must also achieve 3500 hours of practical experience in a pedorthic-related field including 1500 hours of on-site supervised work experience under a qualified C.Ped (C).
An additional certification available through The College of Pedorthics of Canada is the Certified Master Craftsman (C. Ped MC). This is the highest level of certification available. These individuals must hold a C. Ped (C) designation with a minimum number of years of experience as well as complete a hands-on examination. They are certified by The College of Pedorthics of Canada to manufacture custom orthopaedic footwear.
To meet the eligibility requirements, individuals must meet the specific education and experience requirements established by ABC:
In addition to Pedorthists, the ABC credentials individuals in the following professions:
Licensure to practice as a Pedorthist is required in Ohio state.
Health care provider
A health care provider is an individual or an institution that provides preventive, curative, promotional or rehabilitative health care services in a systematic way to individuals, families or communities....
who specializes in the use of footwear and supportive devices to address conditions which affect the feet and lower limbs. They are trained in the assessment of lower limb anatomy and biomechanics
Biomechanics
Biomechanics is the application of mechanical principles to biological systems, such as humans, animals, plants, organs, and cells. Perhaps one of the best definitions was provided by Herbert Hatze in 1974: "Biomechanics is the study of the structure and function of biological systems by means of...
, and the appropriate use of corrective footware - including shoe
Shoe
A shoe is an item of footwear intended to protect and comfort the human foot while doing various activities. Shoes are also used as an item of decoration. The design of shoes has varied enormously through time and from culture to culture, with appearance originally being tied to function...
s, shoe modifications, foot orthoses and other pedorthic devises. “Certified Pedorthist” is a title used by both the College of Pedorthics of Canada as well as the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC). However in many jurisdictions the practice of pedorthists is self-regulated; professional certification
Healthcare provider requisites
Healthcare provider requisites refer to the regulations used by countries to control the quality of individual healthcare workers practicing in their jurisdictions and to control the size of the health labour market...
is voluntary.
Certified Pedorthists in Canada
The Pedorthic Association of CanadaPedorthic Association of Canada
Pedorthic Association of Canada is a national non-profit organization whose mandate is to develop and promote the study, practice and knowledge of Pedorthics in Canada...
as well as the College of Pedorthics of Canada describe a Pedorthist as such:
A pedorthist is an individual who is trained in the manufacturing, fitting and modification of foot appliances and footwear to assist in:
- Alleviating painful or debilitating conditions of the lower limb;
- Accommodation of foot deformities;
- Re-alignment of anatomical structures;
- Redistribution of external and internal forces;
- Improvement of balanceBalance- Equipment :* Balance beam, a piece of gymnastics apparatus.* Balance board, a piece of training equipment.* Balancing machine, a machine that balances mechanical rotating parts to lessen vibration.* Balance wheel, a watch component....
; - Control of biomechanical function;
- Accommodation of circulatory special requirements; and,
- Enhancement of the actions or limbs compromised as a result of accident, congenital deformity, neural condition, or disease.
A Certified Pedorthist, or C.Ped (C), is a practitioner who provides:
- Assessment through observation of surface anatomy and palpation of the limb, gait analyses, range-of-motion testing, footwear analysis and review of potentially complicated health factors;
- Casting, manufacturing, fitting and adjusting orthoses (sometimes called orthoticsOrthoticsOrthotics is a specialty within the medical field concerned with the design, manufacture and application of orthoses. An orthosis is an orthopedic device that supports or corrects the function of a limb or the torso...
); - Fitting and modifying standard and orthopaedic footwearOrthopaedic footwearOrthopaedic footwear is for people who have problems with feet and legs. Ortho- in Greek expresses the idea of "straight" or "correct" and -paedic comes from paideia . Orthopaedics originally evolved as a science for correction of deformities in children and later had other inclusions, like...
; - Accommodating/incorporating complementary assistive devices; and,
- Casting and measuring for custom footwear and/or orthotics.
Canadian pedorthists consult with patients based on a referral from a prescribing healthcare professional such as a family physician
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
, and are integrated members of health care teams, focused on helping patients achieve and maintain proper foot care and health.
To be eligible for the C.Ped (C) examination, pedorthists trained in Canada achieve their designation through one of two ways. The first requires a diploma in Pedorthics from the University of Western Ontario
University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
(UWO) and a membership in good standing with the Pedorthic Association of Canada
Pedorthic Association of Canada
Pedorthic Association of Canada is a national non-profit organization whose mandate is to develop and promote the study, practice and knowledge of Pedorthics in Canada...
.
The second option requires a university degree in any health science, science, or engineering program. A candidate may hold a university degree with a supplementary diploma in chiropody/podiatry
Podiatry
Podiatry is a branch of medicine devoted to the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle, and lower leg. The term podiatry came into use first in the early 20th century United States, where it now denotes a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine , a specialist who is qualified by their...
, chiropractic
Chiropractic
Chiropractic is a health care profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system and the effects of these disorders on general health. It is generally categorized as complementary and alternative medicine...
or orthotist. The core competencies required from a recognized university or college include: anatomy
Anatomy
Anatomy is a branch of biology and medicine that is the consideration of the structure of living things. It is a general term that includes human anatomy, animal anatomy , and plant anatomy...
, biomechanics
Biomechanics
Biomechanics is the application of mechanical principles to biological systems, such as humans, animals, plants, organs, and cells. Perhaps one of the best definitions was provided by Herbert Hatze in 1974: "Biomechanics is the study of the structure and function of biological systems by means of...
/gait analysis
Gait analysis
Gait analysis is the systematic study of animal locomotion, more specific as a study of human motion, using the eye and the brain of observers, augmented by instrumentation for measuring body movements, body mechanics, and the activity of the muscles. Gait analysis is used to assess, plan, and...
, medical conditions/disease, physical assessment and ethics.
Candidates without a UWO Diploma in Pedorthics must also achieve 3500 hours of practical experience in a pedorthic-related field including 1500 hours of on-site supervised work experience under a qualified C.Ped (C).
An additional certification available through The College of Pedorthics of Canada is the Certified Master Craftsman (C. Ped MC). This is the highest level of certification available. These individuals must hold a C. Ped (C) designation with a minimum number of years of experience as well as complete a hands-on examination. They are certified by The College of Pedorthics of Canada to manufacture custom orthopaedic footwear.
Certified Pedorthists in the United States
In the United States, becoming a C.Ped. requires completing the educational requirements approved by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC) and passing a written credentialing exam.To meet the eligibility requirements, individuals must meet the specific education and experience requirements established by ABC:
- Possess a high school diploma, GED or college degree; and
- Successfully complete Levels 1, 2, and 3 of an NCOPE approved pre-certification pedorthic educational program; and
- Document a minimum of 1,000 hours of patient care experience in pedorthics obtained either before or after completion of the pedorthic educational course.
In addition to Pedorthists, the ABC credentials individuals in the following professions:
- Orthotist
- Mastectomy fitter
- Prosthetist
- Therapeutic Shoe fitter
- Certified Technician
- Orthotic fitter
- Certified Assistant
Licensure to practice as a Pedorthist is required in Ohio state.
See also
- Health care providerHealth care providerA health care provider is an individual or an institution that provides preventive, curative, promotional or rehabilitative health care services in a systematic way to individuals, families or communities....
s - PodiatristPodiatryPodiatry is a branch of medicine devoted to the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle, and lower leg. The term podiatry came into use first in the early 20th century United States, where it now denotes a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine , a specialist who is qualified by their...
- OrthotistOrthoticsOrthotics is a specialty within the medical field concerned with the design, manufacture and application of orthoses. An orthosis is an orthopedic device that supports or corrects the function of a limb or the torso...
- ProsthetistProsthetistA prosthetist, as defined by , is a person who measures, designs, fabricates, fits, or services a prosthesis as prescribed by a licensed physician, and who assists in the formulation of the prosthesis prescription for the replacement of external parts of the human body lost due to amputation or...
- Foot health practitionerFoot health practitionerA Foot Health Practitioner is a provider of routine foot care working in the private sector. The title is most used in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. FHPs undertake training to recognise, assess and treat foot conditions....
in the United Kingdom
External links
- http://www.pedorthic.ca - Pedorthic Association of Canada
- http://www.cpedcs.ca - College of Pedorthics of Canada
- http://www.pedorthics.org - Pedorthic Footwear Association (PFA), a non-profit membership association of people and companies.
- http://www.abcop.org - American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics