Orthotics training program for the Republic of the Marshall Islands
Taylor, L. (Crippled Children's Association, South Australia),
Harding, K.E. (Manager of Rehabilitation Services, Majuro Hospital)
The Republic of the Marshall Islands consists of 29 coral atolls spread over more than 2 million square kilometres of ocean in the Central Pacific. The population of 60,000 people is dispersed throughout the islands, with the major urban centre located on Majuro Atoll. Recent developments in the Majuro Hospital's Rehabilitation Service resulted in the identification of the need for an Orthotics service. This was supported by the extremely high rates of diabetes, strokes and musculoskeletal injuries and the increase in lifestyle diseases. The eight week in-country orthotics training program was developed by the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics Australian Outreach Committee and the Majuro Hospital's Rehabilitation Service Manager. Many other organisations supported the development and implementation of the training, which ran from August to October 2003. The program resulted in the entire Rehabilitation Team being trained in orthotic assessment and prescription techniques. Two prosthetics staff were further trained in the assessment, prescription and manufacture of six main types of orthoses. Education sessions were conducted for other hospital medical staff, to encourage support for the new service. This poster will describe the development, implementation and results of the orthotics training program, whilst highlighting the many challenges that were faced.