The Physiopedia team will be at ISPO in Sweden this week to present workforce development solutions to address the critical shortage of prosthetic and orthotic services. Don’t miss our focused symposium on the International Rehabilitation Education and Training Toolkit (IRETT) at 2:30 PM in Room A2, featuring real-world case studies from Pakistan, Uganda and Ukraine.
The Physiopedia team is heading to Sweden this week to present at the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) conference, and we’d love to see you there! This Thursday, 19 June, we’ll be sharing our insights on sustainable workforce development for prosthetists and orthotists. Don’t miss our focused symposium: Dynamic Tools to Advance Sustainable Workforce Development for Prosthetists and Orthotists in Alignment with the Rehabilitation 2030 Agenda at 2:30 PM – 3:45 PM in Room A2, Ground Floor of the Stockholmsmässan, Sweden.
The statistics are stark: around 100 million people globally need prosthetic or orthotic devices, yet a staggering 80-90% lack access to these essential services. This gap stems from critical shortages of trained personnel, service facilities and health rehabilitation infrastructure. The situation is particularly challenging in low- and middle-income countries, where individuals are often younger and face greater physical demands.
Our presentation will highlight the International Rehabilitation Education and Training Toolkit (IRETT), a groundbreaking resource offering practical tools designed to help stakeholders execute key workforce development activities. These innovative tools focus on enhancing entry-level education, continuing professional development, and professional regulation whilst being adaptable to all rehabilitation professions.
We will share real-world implementation case studies from Pakistan, Uganda and Ukraine demonstrating how the IRETT strengthens prosthetic and orthotic services through innovative approaches that combine shared content development, local context adaptation and contemporary learning technologies.
Each tool emphasises a quality improvement framework – plan, do, assess, and adjust – empowering local leaders to drive meaningful change within their communities. The success of these initiatives relies heavily on effective interprofessional collaboration, with prosthetists and orthotists playing crucial roles within rehabilitation teams.
By providing a cohesive structure, the IRETT promotes alignment among stakeholders, facilitating coordinated efforts to integrate rehabilitation services into healthcare systems effectively. Our presentation will demonstrate the practical implementation of these tools through international case studies, exploring how prosthetists and orthotists can adapt these resources within their specific contexts.
This symposium directly aligns with the global push towards achieving the Rehabilitation 2030 agenda, addressing one of healthcare’s most pressing challenges. Whether you’re a practitioner, educator, or healthcare administrator, these insights will prove invaluable for advancing rehabilitation services in your region.
We’re excited to share these developments and learn from the experiences of fellow professionals. The prosthetics and orthotics field continues to evolve, and collaborative efforts like these are essential for ensuring sustainable, accessible care for all who need it. See you at Room A2 on Thursday afternoon – we look forward to connecting with the rehabilitation community and exploring how we can work together to strengthen workforce development globally.
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