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Prosthetics and Orthotics International. 1987, 11, 46-47
Dear Sir,
Letters to the Editor
Re: Angliss V.E, "Holte revisited — a review of the quality of prosthetic treatment"
Prosthetics and Orthotics International, Vol 10, No 1, April 1986
The Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association whilst agreeing in principle to the thrust and
recommendations of the article, consider that some innaccuracies need to be addressed.
Primarily our association expresses concern that the article was published with no reference to the
date of writing nor the date of the survey upon which the article was based. To our knowledge the survey
was conducted in early 1983. The results as published are therefore over 3 years out of date.
The AOPA believes that given the progressive development in many aspects of Prosthetics and
Orthotics in Australia the article is quite out of context.
More specifically our association holds in contention comment made in Method and Results,
Section 3, Paragraph 2: —
"Largely due to employment of inexperienced staff and lack of adequate
monitoring this evaluation has not been completed ..."
This appears to be an unsubstantiated personal comment. In actual fact both of the pilot Prosthetic
and Orthotic units to which the author is referring, were reviewed, evaluated and favourably reported
upon to the Health Commission within 18 to 24 months of each units establishment. The staff of these
pilot units constantly worked towards 'Holte type' goals and their results reported on several occasions
(1) (3) (4).
Further corrections in section 3 of Methods and Results should be noted. The author reports 20
Prosthetic and Orthotic diplomates being employed. To our knowledge 27 were employed in 1985 (2)
and currently in 1986 there are some 35 graduates employed in Victoria which is in line with Holte
recommendations, although not all are employed in clinical or production settings (e.g. some are
involved with education, administration and research.)
Here in 1986 several hospitals and most private facilities employ technicians. A Prosthetic and
Orthotic technicians course is currently under consideration in Victoria. The establishment of further
Prosthetic and Orthotic units (at least three to date), employment of more graduates and use of
technicians are not reported in the article.
This quiet revolution in Prosthetics and Orthotics over the last few years has, however, evolved on
an ad-hoc within individual hospital basis, often without health commission financial support. The
AOPA agree with the author that government commitment with policy and guidelines and also a
community education programme in regard to Prosthetic and Orthotic needs to be implemented.
(1) Hurley Dr. J., Bauer D. Queen Elizabeth Geriatric Centre Ballarat — What is the value of a
Prosthetist/Orthotist to a hospital based rehabilitation team?
Community Needs in Prosthetics and Orthotics: Notes abstracts and short papers from a National
Seminar held on August 24 and 25 1984. (Lincoln Institute.)
(2) Radford D. Where have all the Graduates gone? AOPA Magazine Vol. 1 No. 1 February 1986.
(3) Twist Dr. E. Caulfield Hospital — What is the value of a Prosthetist/Orthotist to a hospital based
rehabilitation team?
Community Needs in Prosthetics and Orthotics: Lincoln Institute, Notes, abstracts and short
papers from a National Seminar held on August 24 and 25 1984.
(4) Woolley D. Role of the Prosthetist and Orthotist in Australia.
AOPA Magazine Vol. 1 No. 1 February 1986.
Yours sincerely,
Damian P. Wooley.
Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association,
P.O. Box 2305V, Melbourne,
Victoria 3001, Australia.
Editor's Note: The above paper was submitted for publication in March, 1985.
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