Details
Communication between prosthetic / orthotic clinicians and technicians plays a vital role in Prosthetics and Orthotics. Both parties have to exchange clinical and technical information which needs to be accurately understood to ensure the unique needs of patients are integrated into the design and fabrication process. Due to the limited literature investigating this topic, a qualitative study which aims to explore the impact of communication on PO devices and their relationship are required.
Methods
Semi-structured interviews were performed, targeting the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered prosthetists, orthotists and technicians who worked at four main Opcare centres in Midlands region and two in East Anglia region. Transcribed interviews were input into NVivo software and thematic analysis was employed to identify explore key themes arising from the qualitative data.
Results
Ten respondents took part in this study, seven clinicians and three technicians. Participants used a variety of communication methods; however, verbal communication was mostly preferred. Specification which was too long and ambiguous were identified as a main obstacle to effective written communication. The effectiveness of communication encounters challenges in the context of offsite manufacturing. The importance of device quality was emphasized as a significant factor affecting communication. The study also found that open and honest communication enriched team collaboration and respect among team members.
Conclusions
This qualitative study provides comprehensive and rich data which explores the impact of communication on PO device and relationships and offers recommendations for researchers and practitioners to enhance patient care and foster a friendly work environment through effective communication.