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This article discusses the value of resident projects in the orthotics and prosthetics laboratory and provides tips for planning and implementing successful projects. It also explores different types of projects, such as research, literature reviews, case studies, and device development.
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LABORATORIO GILETE Are They Valuable? Resident Projects Kevin P. Meade, Ph.D. NCOPE Orthotic Resident BioConcepts, Inc.
In a perfect world . . . . . . there are no limits on time, talent, and treasure.
Time • Project time from normal work time, for example: • One-half to one day per week, or • 10-20 percent of the residency, or • 200-400 hours in one year • Project time from outside normal work • Writing and other time intensive tasks
Talent • NCOPE Resident • Residency Director • Patient(s) • Technician(s) • Other supporting staff • Outside advisor(s)
Treasure • Assume salary of $15/hour, for the sake of argument (not including benefits) • 200-400 hours = $3000-$6000 investment • 200-400 hours not doing clinical work that may generate income • Use of other company resources such as supplies, components, personnel, etc.
Is the project worth it? • Depends upon whether the desired outcome(s) were achieved • Depends upon the actual cost • Were there any conference presentations or publications? • Has the residency facility benefited from the project? • Has clinical practice improved?
Careful planning is essential • Identify the project early - before beginning the residency, if possible • Write a formal proposal with a budget and time-line (MS Project can help) • Proposal must be comprehensive • Obtain internal approval of the proposal • Block out weekly time for project work • Revise the project plan along the way, as needed
Some Published Papers on Residency Research . . . Supan, TJ. RESEARCH FORUM--Residency Research, Part I: Why Should an Orthotic/Prosthetic Resident Conduct Research? Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, Vol. 7, No. 4, 1995, pp. 142-146. Shurr, DG. RESEARCH FORUM--Residency Research, Part II: Goals of Residency Research. Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, Vol. 7, No. 4, 1995, pp. 147-148. Lin RS. RESEARCH FORUM--Residency Research, Part III: How To Do Research During Residency. Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, Vol. 7, No. 4, 1995, pp. 149-151. Kapp, S and Wentz, G. Research Forum: Baccalaureate Student Research. Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, Vol. 9, No. 1, 1995, pp. 42-47.
Literature Reviews • A high-quality literature review can be of great value to the O&P field • Shows state of the art • May generate and/or support new research and development ideas • However, this has sometimes been a “fallback” project involving review of a very limited number of publications • Probably does not significantly benefit the resident, the residency facility, or the O&P field in that case
Case Studies • Potentially very instructive for experienced practitioners (could be published in JPO) • Usually involves a brief literature survey • Requires careful documentation and follow-up • Forming “good habits” • More than writing SOAP notes • Single case or multiple cases • Prospective or retrospective
From “A Guide to a Simple Research Project” - Mike Raney, PhD, CO The case study provides an opportunity for unlimited creativity. . . . Consider the following points in deciding whether a case study is appropriate. The case(s): 1) should be important in some way. 2) may illustrate an unusual medical or bracing problem. 3) may demonstrate a unique solution not previously presented in the literature. 4) may show a failed solution that would help others avoid doing the same. 5) could demonstrate the use of a new device. 6) could demonstrate the use of an old device in a new way. 7) It may be a case without a solution that solicits others to consider the problem and possible solutions.
Value of Case Studies • “A way to generate or test a hypothesis” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Case_study • “Case studies are stories with an educational message.” National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science - University of Buffalo, http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/projects/cases/case.html • Examples of practice versus theory • Can provide a more valuable experience than a “fallback” literature review • Conclusions can be made!
Project With Human Subjects • Very rigorous, fits in with day-to-day routine of residency facility • Often part of a larger project associated with a university • To some extent, the resident project is “pre-planned” • Relatively few residency projects fall into this category
Device Development • In the spirit of advancing O&P • Potentially very time consuming and expensive • Modifying existing devices may be an alternative
Other Project Ideas . . . • Round out residency educational experience by doing a project in a clinical area that might be underrepresented • Design a project around building a specific clinical specialty • Develop educational modules for in-service instructional programs
Entrepreneurship Programs • Today, many universities have entrepreneurship programs, e.g., MIT • It is likely that many O&P education programs could have access to these programs, e.g., NUPOC • IIT’s program has a $10M endowment • Funding opportunities are numerous
Entrepreneurship Projects • Development of a business plan • For example, mobile O&P service • Address a specific facility need • Additional training and support in writing business plans may be required
National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance • The National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance fosters invention, innovation, and entrepreneurship in higher education as a way of creating innovative, commercially viable, and socially beneficial businesses and employment opportunities in the United States.
National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance • The program was founded on the premise that invention, innovation, and entrepreneurship are essential components of the higher education curriculum and vital to the nation’s economic future.
Take Home Messages • Plan project well in advance taking into account what may benefit the resident, the residency facility, as well as the field of O&P • Have a budget and time-line • Revise project plan as needed • Fit the project into the time allotted • Don’t allot time to fit the project
Summary of Recommendations The resident project could be chosen from: o Research and Development, e.g., § New technical techniques § Clinical outcomes § Multi-year studies § Conceptual design of new devices o Education, e.g., § Continuing education development § Patient education development § Public education development o Entrepreneurship, e.g., § Device development § Facility operation and design § Business problems