ISPO assembles international group to develop strategic direction in Web-Based Learning

The Education Committee of the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics has recently convened a strategic meeting of stakeholders in web-based or e-Learning in Prosthetics, Orthotics and related fields.

Recognising the potential of eLearning modalities in advancing the profession in all parts of the world, the Education Committee appointed Immediate Past President of the ISPO, Mr. Sepp Heim, chair of a special subcommittee. The subcommittee invited key stakeholders from all parts of the world to assemble in Hong Kong. Delegates were hosted by the Prosthetics and Orthotics School of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Meeting delegates included Dr. Ed Lemaire, a former keynote speaker at ISPO Australia's 2003 Scientific meeting in Alice springs. Dr. Lemaire has published widely in the area of eMedicine and Telehealth. Also in attendance were three representatives of the Norwegian Centre for Telemedicine. These experts in the area offered invaluable insights into their experiences in eLearning in Norway, Russia and elsewhere, including in Prosthetics and Orthotics training.

Delegates presented key experiences from their work in eLearning projects in their home countries, regions and institutions. These experiences ranged from short continuing education courses to substantial portions of entire degree programs.

The meeting developed a strategic direction paper. Future work will attempt to advance the key directions set out at this meeting.

Among interesting directions was a resolution to explore opportunities in coordinating and promoting flexible access to continuing professional education for current working professionals in the industrialised world. This will likely facilitate opportunities for Australian ISPO members to participate in world-class CPE content.