On behalf of the convening committee and the Australian Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) I am excited to invite you to participate in the inaugural AOPA Congress.
AOPA aims to widely promote the profession, improve the standing of Prosthetists and Orthotists and actively encourage involvement in continuing professional development activities amongst members. AOPA membership is increasingly valued and recognised within the field of Prosthetics and Orthotics and throughout the health sector. By facilitiating our first National Congress, the National Council hopes to bring all elements of the industry together and further raise the profile of Orthotics and Prosthetics in Australia.
The Congress theme ‘Sharing the Knowledge’, is intended to encourage a large meeting of health clinicians, technicians and students to connect clinically in an environment that will encourage sharing of experiences and difficulties in order to discover practical solutions.
It is the Association’s intention to provide members and colleagues with clinical and technical discoveries that can be immediately incorporated into everyday practice, to benefit clients and to enhance the quality and efficiency of service delivery.
The Congress will run Prosthetic and Orthotic topics concurrently over two days. There will be 8 sessions related to each discipline with each session having a specific theme of focus.
Currently sessions and presenters have been confirmed relating to the following themes:
• Functional Electrical Stimulation
• Transfemoral Prosthetics
• Spinal Orthotics - Halo Management
• High Risk Foot Management
• Complex Orthotic Management
• Orthotic Lamination Techniques
Information relating to each of the 16 sessions at the Congress will be added to this page and the AOPA website as soon as they are available.
All podium presentations will be provided by invited speakers of the organising committee. Presentations will include:
• problem solving
• video demonstrations
• panel and audience discussions
• case studies
• evidence based clinical research
At the conclusion of some session’s podium presentations, product solutions and demonstrations related to the clinical issues discussed will be conducted by one of the ten Table Top Display Exhibitors.
The Table Top Display Exhibtion will be set up for the entire 2 day period. The exhibitor numbers have been limited and time built into the program for you to thoroughly assess and discuss the new products our industry has to offer.
A poster session will also occur within the Exhibition Hall. Posters are an excellent way to present interesting case studies to peers. The Poster format allows people to identify similar patient situations and discuss clinical outcomes. All attendees are encouraged to consider presenting a Poster.
The numerous learning opportunities outlined above indicate that the inaugural AOPA congress will be an exciting and unique opportunity to share clinical and technical experiences in a comfortable professional environment. Ensure you are a part of the future and register now.
Jackie O’Connor.
Congress Convenor.
