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OETT helps make dreams come true !

Since graduation in 2000 I had retained my focus and primary interest on nurturing team approaches in community and acute teams, as the gold standard to providing rehabilitation from neurological injury. I have been privileged to work alongside expert Orthotist, AHP and medical colleagues at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust where we aim to provide the highest standards of integrated rehabilitative care for spinal cord injury survivors who encompass the widest possible spectrum of abilities and goals.
I had long pondered the fundamental factors underlying motor learning – the lasting (or plastic) changes in behaviour and underlying neurophysiology which underpin therapy – the lasting skills improvements and adaptive short-term variations which allow us to meet goals in a dynamic environment. In the spring of 2007 I sent a proposal to OETT, setting out the aims and objectives which would be satisfied by undertaking an MSc in Neurorehabilitation at Brunel University. This course is aimed at specialist AHPs and medical professionals who seek a deeper understanding of the field and are considering embarking on neurorehab-focused research or evidence-based service delivery as part of their future career.

My NHS Trust supported me superbly in both spirit and study leave, but OETT was most generous in supporting me through this 2 year part-time taught course with 2/3 of the course funding. So I graduated in 2009, having met my personal learning objectives and having been exposed to a mind-boggling range of quantitative and qualitative themes along the way! My dissertation focused on the effect of non-invasive brain stimulation twinned with voluntary activity and FES on brain plasticity (cortical stimulation having the potential as a novel class of orthotic device to boost brain performance and skills learning), which earned me a Distinction.
I’m now embarked on a full-time PhD in Health Studies looking at brain plasticity and motor learning, and the effect of brain stimulation to enhance rehabilitation from tetraplegia following spinal cord injury. Though I was lucky to have been awarded a PhD Research Scholarship from Brunel, and continue working part-time at the RNOH, without the continuing help from OETT in the form of a 50% grant for travel expenses I simply would not be able to continue my career journey.

Royal Berkshire Foundation Trust, Reading

I am currently undertaking a Masters in Clinical Biomechanics at Staffordshire University. The decision to undertake this was not an easy one both from a financial and time point of view.

I put forward my application for funding help to the OETT board and received the full allocation. Working a full time job within the NHS and studying for an MSc is no easy task but the personal and professional rewards out-weight the long nights and weekends sat in front of the computer.

As I trawl through all the research in my travels, one element becomes very apparent, the lack of Orthotists doing research and adding to our practice. I do believe that this is a trend that will change, it has to if we, as Orthotists are going to be seen as influential members in the management of conditions and not facilitators in order for the other professionals to get what they want.

I hear in the back of my head people saying to me “what are you studying for, I still see Orthotists that can’t do footwear correctly”. The simple truth is that if we don’t, we will, if we are not already, be left behind.

So I encourage you all to pick up a new piece of research today, analyse it, and use it as a method to prove or disprove treatments. Look at others ways for you to expand your knowledge base and moved up the clinical ladder. One thing you can be sure of is that the OETT will be there, ready and waiting for your application to help in any way they can.

My aim is to add to my profession, for a fellow professional to read my research (the title changes from week to week) and use or not use it in their treatment regimes. At the very least it should spark conversation and discussions.

I would not be doing this MSc if I didn’t have the backing from the OETT, the costs are too great. I cannot thank the Board enough for their help

The 2013 OETT sponsored BAPO Conference parallel Technician training programme was exceedingly well supported and a resounding success.
Contributions were received from eminent presenters e.g. Dr Stephen Hutchins, Andy Dewsbury and Marsh Gibson as well as some new contributors namely; Blake Jackson, Rob Bradbury Mark Corrigan and Lee Willan.

Presentations covered future technician training, new materials and manufacturing techniques as well as updates of more established orthoses for the newer generation present. All this was shared in an open and generous dialogue which enabled all attendees to learn, contribute and greatly enjoy this event.

Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Oxford

I have recently completed an MSc in Applied Biomechanics from the University of Strathclyde. This would not have been possible without the generosity of the OETT in funding all of the course fees. I applied well in advance of the start of the course and my application outlined the content of the course and how this would benefit my clinical practice and ultimately my patients. I also outlined how I would be able to put this new knowledge into practice and share it with other orthotists, I was awarded 67% funding.

Postgraduate study can be a daunting prospect, by choosing an area of interest where I thought there was a gap in knowledge made this an enjoyable and rewarding experience. I was pleasantly surprised by the number and willingness of people to help me along the way. I am very grateful that the OETT are available as a source of funding for such courses that can be very rewarding. If you feel that there is a better way of making orthoses, delivering your service or gaining new knowledge then I would strongly encourage you to give it a go, it might take time and hard work but I can assure you will be very rewarding.

I wish to offer my sincere thanks to BAPO and OETT for the funding and support I received to help me throughout several years of studying at MSc level. I have recently successfully completed my MSc in Clinical Biomechanics at Staffordshire University. Again, thank you for the continued help and support I have received. Without this help and support I would not have achieved so much.

I have found the HNC course enlightening and useful in my work, in particular the units covering communication methods, data storage and dissemination. I have learnt the importance of and how to apply stakeholder analysis. This has enabled me to fully understand the differing requirements of each stakeholder involved in my area of work. The organisational behaviour unit has helped me understand the concept of leadership, the relevance of organisational culture and how to apply managerial and motivational theory. I have also learnt approaches to business strategy and how create and implement strategy. The unit titled PPD explored learning approaches and strategies to promote and encourage life long learning, which I have applied, not only to myself but also to some of my staff to help them meet their HCPC commitments, as well as considering their personal goals. The assignments throughout the course have helped me explore both my own organisation and the industry I work in, giving me a better understanding, ability and confidence in my current role.