Study on the Status of Prosthetists and Orthotists in Korea

ABSTRACT

Prostheses and orthoses are appliances made to increase the function of the disabled body. In Korea most appliance makers obtain their basic medical and engineering knowledge and techniques through on-the-job training rather than regular education. It is expected that future training courses for appliance makers will continue to be planned. The most important thing in preparing such courses is to set the limits and level of the text. To plan training courses efficiently, it is essential to check the experience and educational level of the participants, the source of their technique, and their philosophy. The 58 makers who attended the first training course held for one week in August of 1981 answered the questionnaire prepared by the authors concerning the following items: educational level, source of technique (where and how learned), basic medical knowledge, location of shops, degree of and reason for job satisfaction, difficulties in working, approval or disapproval of the training course and reaction to the first training course.