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The course is broken down into four sections over 5 days, which is normally face to face but was done over Zoom during the pandemic. There is one multiple choice exam, one submission and one mock cross examination which all need to be passed to gain the certificate.

Four sections are as follows:

1. Report Writing – this day was very informative for any starting out in report writing as it provides you with all the necessary information to make your report legal and satisfactory to the legal team and the court. I found this day very helpful as I have never written a report and it can be daunting if you are unprepared.
2. Witness Familiarisation – very helpful for understanding the court and courtroom setting should you ever be required to be called to provide evidence.
3. Cross Examination – learning skills on how to prepare for cross examination in a courtroom setting. This would be a very high pressure situation and was really useful in learning the skills on how a barrister may approach this part of a trial to gain an advantage for their side.
4. Civil Law – two days on the law in civil cases (which includes medical legal work) to get an understanding of the whole trial and the legal system.

Overall I would say this course was excellent and the Report Writing section in particular is essential for anyone wishing to start providing reports that will be of a high standard to the court.

I recently completed a Masters by Research (MRes) through the University of Salford.

I undertook the MSc part time while working full time over 200 miles from the university and only attended the university in person once in the four years it took me to complete my research. Skype became my best friend!

Juggling work, study and a young family at home was tough, but one worry I didn’t have was financing my studies as the OETT kindly provided 67% of the funding for my MSc and my employer Blatchford paid the remaining 33%. This help was invaluable, and we as a profession are so incredibly privileged to have access to such financial support to help us further our knowledge clinically, which in the end serves to benefit our patients – the reason why we entered the profession in the first place.

During my MSc I learned research skills, academic writing skills, the use of gait analysis and the interpretation of data, as well as furthering my knowledge of the orthotic treatment of foot and ankle trauma. These skills are important in ensuring I am well versed in providing evidence-based practice for the patients that I treat now and in the many years to come.

I would encourage all Prosthetists/Orthotists to consider an MRes as an alternative to the more conventionally taught MSc courses. It enables you to gain research skills and explore an area of orthotics in great detail in a flexible way that allows remote working very easily. It takes a lot of discipline but it was definitely worth it.

So thank you once again to the OETT. Your support of our profession is invaluable and the process to apply for assistance is simple, seamless and very swiftly managed.

In 2016, I decided to embark on my MSc journey. I enrolled on the MSc Orthotics rehabilitation studies course at the University of Strathclyde. It is a distance learning course so was convenient for me at the time. I must say, going into it, I did not know what to expect. My experience with it was a very positive one with in-depth online notes; assignments that made me think out of the box and also use my theoretical and practical knowledge of orthotics.

In the first year, we undertook introductory biomechanics, research methodology and data analysis modules. The second year built on the first year modules, second year modules included lower limb orthotic biomechanics, advanced orthotic science and clinical gait analysis. In the third year, we had to do a big project drawing from all the information we had gained in the previous two years.

I always had an interest in research, completing this MSc has given me the necessary tools needed to take my research forward. It has opened a new world of research for me. It has made me realise that there is a great need for further research in orthotics. I will encourage any orthotist interested in research to get necessary tools needed.

I will like to thank OETT for their help in part-funding this course. The lecturers were knowledgeable and were always on hand to answer any questions we had. The assessments ran smoothly and were mostly well organised. I will also like to thank my project supervisor – Dr Christine McNogle for her support while I was undertaking my project. My employer – T&S Orthotics – was very supportive and allowed me time off to study when required.

To my wife and children for their support during my sleepless nights while studying, working on assignments and my project, Thank you.

Joshua Oguntade

BSc Hons, MSc Orthotic Rehabilitation Studies

I have recently completed my MSC in Prosthetics and Orthotics at the University of Strathclyde which would not have been possible without the support and generosity of OETT, who provided 67% of the tuition fees, enabling me to carry out this period of study.

My thesis focused on KAFOs as well as patient interaction, where I considered issues surrounding communication strategies.  This gave me the opportunity to research patient information leaflets with particular reference to KAFO’s which has been extremely beneficial to both my clinical and professional practice.   I would like to take this opportunity to thank OETT for their very generous assistance, for which I am very grateful.

Stephanie Caisley – MSc Prosthetics and Orthotics