An ABC certified pedorthist is a health care professional who is specifically educated and trained to manage comprehensive pedorthic patient care. This includes patient assessment, formulation of a treatment plan, implementation of the treatment plan, follow-up and practice management. An ABC certified pedorthist fits, fabricates, adjusts, or modifies devices which reflect his/her education and training. The profession of pedorthics is the provision of patient care and services by or under the direction and supervision of an ABC certified pedorthist to provide the application of a pedorthic device for the prevention or amelioration of painful and/or disabling conditions of the foot and ankle. A prescription is required for any pedorthic device, modification, and/ or prefabricated below the knee orthosis addressing a medical condition that originates at the ankle or below. “Pedorthic devices” means therapeutic shoes, shoe modifications made for therapeutic purposes, partial foot prostheses for transmetatarsal and more distal amputations, and foot orthoses. It also includes subtalar-control foot orthoses (SCFO) designed to manage the function of the anatomy by primarily controlling the range of motion of the subtalar joint. Excluding footwear, the proximal height of a custom pedorthic device does not extend beyond the junction of the gastrocnemius and the Achilles tendon. Pedorthic devices do not include non-therapeutic inserts or footwear regardless of method of manufacture; unmodified, non-therapeutic overthe-counter shoes; or prefabricated foot care products. “Therapeutic” devices address a medical condition, diagnosed by a prescribing medical professional, while “non-therapeutic” devices do not address a medical condition. The pedorthist certified by ABC is bound by the ABC Code of Professional Responsibility which is enforced by a Professional Discipline program. The certified pedorthist is obligated to support and conform to professional responsibilities that promote and assure the overall welfare of the patient and the integrity of the profession. The time limited certification expires without compliance with the Mandatory Continuing Education program. The practice of an ABC certified pedorthist includes but is not limited to: 1) Assessment of patients with impairment of human movement or musculoskeletal abnormalities that would otherwise impede their ability to participate in their social environment or other activities in order to determine a functional intervention. Pedorthic patient assessment may include, but is not limited to, the evaluation and documentation of: • anthropometric data • cognition • circulation • skin integrity • protective sensation • pain • peripheral nerve integrity • respiratory capacity • biomechanics • gait analysis including temporal and spatial assessment • range of motion • muscle strength • posture and balance • proprioception • pedorthic requirements • environmental barriers including social, home, and work reintegration |
2) Formulation of a treatment plan based upon a comprehensive assessment to design an intervention to alleviate limitations and enhance function. Pedorthic treatment includes, but is not limited to:
• verification of prescription/documentation • evaluation of the prescription rationale • a needs assessment based on patient and/or caregiver input • development of functional goals • analysis of structural and design requirements • consultation with and/or referral to other health care professionals 3) Implementation of the pedorthic treatment plan includes but is not limited to: • acquisition of anthropometric data • modification and/or rectification of anthropometric data • material selection • fabrication of pedorthic devices • device structural evaluation • diagnostic fitting • gait training • assessment of intervention for appropriate outcomes • patient education and instruction • supervision of the provision of care 4) Utilization of a follow-up treatment plan that ensures successful pedorthics outcomes, patient health and quality of life which includes, but is not limited to: • documentation of functional changes • formulation of modifications to ensure successful outcomes • reassessment of patient expectations • reassessment of treatment objectives • development of long term treatment plan • confirmation of patient education and instruction • evidenced based practice 5) Compliance with practice management plans to develop and document policies and procedures to ensure patient protection includes, but is not limited to: • adherence to applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations • following patient care guidelines and procedures maintaining a safe and professional environment for patient care • comprehension of claims development and submission 6) Promotion of competency and enhancement of pedorthic professional practice to contribute to the profession’s body of knowledge includes, but is not limited to participation in: • training of residents/students • continuing education • clinical research • evidence based studies • promotion of public awareness of the pedorthic profession • consumer organizations, governmental and non-governmental organizations |