Research Training Program in Prosthetics and Orthotics

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1 1 FAQs: Research Training Prgram in Prsthetics and Orthtics Applicatin t the prgram can be dne n line, similar t the general GT applicatin t graduate schl: Yu will be required t take the GRE exam; there is n minimum scre required. Minimum requirement fr a GPA fr entrance t this training prgram is the same as the general minimum requirement fr Gergia Tech, i.e A pre-dctral training prgram leads t the PhD degree frm Gergia Tech in Applied Physilgy: Emphasis in Prsthetics and Orthtics. Mrs. Jy Daniell shuld be cntacted with all questins related t the applicatin prcedure: jy.daniell@ap.gatech.edu. The length f the prgram depends n the student s backgrund and prgress in the prgram but usually will last abut 4-5 years. 1. Ratinale and Need The prfessin f Prsthetics and Orthtics (P&O) is entering its adlescence endeavring t grw taller upn a diminutive bdy f knwledge. The paucity f existing rigrus research prviding the evidence fr evidence-based practice in P&O dictates that decisin making is relegated t anecdtal and individual clinical experience by the practitiners wh treat individuals in need f care. Research scientists pssessing knwledge and skills cultivated in a clinically sensitive research envirnment have been cnsistently absent in P&O. The majrity f the research cnducted in P&O stems frm affiliated and mre mature prfessins f engineering, allied health and medicine. These investigatins have nt sufficiently linked the prsthetic r rthtic device s physical perfrmance t the physilgical perfrmance and adaptatin f the persn utilizing it as part f a cmprehensive rehabilitatin treatment plan. While this by n means invalidates the existing knwledge gained, absence f a clinical perspective driving P&O research has resulted in a dearth f basic science and clinical research in P&O. It is this need fr research in the basic and clinical sciences that prvides the mtivatin fr this training grant. In 2002, a curriculum in P&O was develped at Gergia Tech creating an advanced educatin prgram distinct frm existing P&O educatin mdels. As the wrld s first CAAHEP (Cmmissin n Accreditatin f Allied Health Educatin Prgrams) accredited entry level graduate degree prgram in P&O, the Master f Science in Prsthetics and Orthtics (MSPO, prgram in the Schl f Applied Physilgy integrates research as a teaching tl in an applied clinical practitiner educatin mdel. The MSPO graduate hwever, is neither the terminal academic degree research scientist nr the researcher grmed t fill the vid in clinically based utcmes in P&O. The individuals that will fill these gaps are the future graduates f this PhD training prgram in Prsthetics and Orthtics. 2. Relatinship t Current Training Prgram The Schl f Applied Physilgy has several labratries invlved in mvement cntrl engaging in multidisciplinary research in bimechanics, neurmechanics, systems physilgy, mdeling f human mvement and a keen interest in behaviral utcmes as related t clinical research. The pre-dctral training prgram in mvement science applied t prsthetics and rthtics research will be accmplished by cmpleting a series f eight (8) required majr curses (24 semester hurs) and a minimum f three curses (9 semester hurs) in a minr area f study. While all but ne f the majr curses already exist in the graduate prgram in Applied Physilgy the enriched minr area f study may be cmpleted by selecting frm a menu f curses n diverse subject matter already ffered in Applied Physilgy, in ther units at Gergia Tech and/r in curses at Emry University and Gergia State University. While the tw existing prgrams, MSPO and the PhD in Applied Physilgy, are relatively new, certain relevant facts shuld be highlighted here fr clarity and fcus. The MSPO prgram is unique and is embraced by the P&O cmmunity as their standard bearer fr future grwth; the prsthetics and rthtics prfessin has requested/recmmended the develpment f such a federally funded

2 training prgram; the Schl f Applied Physilgy is ne f eight units in the Cllege f Sciences whse faculty already cnduct interdisciplinary research in the bimechanics and neural cntrl f mvement; current graduate prgrams embrace the physilgical basis f mvement cntrl; faculty in the Schl already interact with scientists in rehabilitatin medicine and the prsthetics and rthtics prfessin and clinically related fields as well as hld adjunct and jint appintments in the Cllege f Engineering and Departments f Physilgy and Rehabilitatin Medicine in the Emry University Medical Schl. All prgrams rely n bth existing and future cllabrative interactins as well as the interdisciplinary apprach t research. These philsphies and scientific capabilities can be harnessed t directly address the challenges psed by the American Academy f Orthtists and Prsthetists and will directly serve t enhance the impact f an already successful MSPO prgram in the develpment f a research culture requisite t the successful emergence f the field f P&O and in the larger cntext the field f rehabilitatin. B. PROGRAM PLAN 1. Prgram Administratin Drs. Steve Wlf, Richard Nichls and Rbert Gregr will serve as c-prject directrs (Dr. Gregr will serve as the PI) urging feedback and advice regarding the functin and prgress f the training prgram. The interface between the MSPO Prgram and the PhD training prgram as supprted by the varius units in three separate universities is enhanced by the representatin n administrative cmmittees utlined belw: a. Oversight Cmmittee (Shrt and Lng-term Prgram Objectives) Dr. Rbert Gregr Dr. T. Richard Nichls Dr. Steve Wlf Mr. Christpher Hvrka, Directr f MSPO Prgram Representative frm CETL: b. External Advisry Cmmittee (External Review) Dr. Rnald F Zernicke Dr. Dug Smith Dr. Jams H Campbell c. Operatins Cmmittee (Specific Prgram Operatins, e g. admissins) Dr. Millard-Staffrd, Assciate Chair f AP, Cmmittee Chair Dr. Rbert Gregr, Schl Chair, Liaisn t the Schl Dr. Steve Sprigle, Directr f CATEA, Jint Appintment in AP Dr. Yung-Hui Chang, Directr f Cmparative Neurmechanics Lab Dr. Mark Geil, Directr, Bimechanics Lab, Gergia State University Mr. Chris Hvrka, CPO, Directr f MSPO Prgram Mr. Rbert Kistenberg, CP, Crdinatr r Prsthetics, MSPO Prgram Dr. Geza Kgler, CO, Crdinatr f Orthtics, MSPO Prgram The Training Prgram will be ffered thrugh the Schl f Applied Physilgy but the verall prgram requires the integratin f faculty and prgrams utside the Cllege f Sciences at Gergia Tech as well as prsthetic and rthtic clinical training sites in the greater Atlanta area. The existing frmal links between prgram faculty and institutins are intended t facilitate the necessary administrative relatinships/partnerships requisite t the success f this prgram. In additin, Research Directrs frm labratries at Gergia State University, the Center fr Assistive Technlgy and Envirnmental Access (CATEA) at Gergia Tech, Shepherd Spinal Center and ther clinical P&O, allied health care and medical facilities arund Atlanta invlved in this prgram will prvide the necessary infrastructure fr curriculum develpment and research mentrship. 2. Current Training Prgram a. Objectives The purpse f the current prgram is t prepare independent scientists thrugh predctral, multidisciplinary research training in the rehabilitatin pririty, specifically 2

3 rehabilitatin related t prsthetics and rthtics, as part f a treatment plan in the mvement sciences. The bjective f this training is t prvide an advanced theretical basis in the bimechanics and neural cntrl f mvement fr the skills required in rehabilitatin research in the field f prsthetics and rthtics. b. Number and Level f Trainees (Institutinal Supprt) Three pre-dctral trainees will be admitted each year during the perid f the grant. Gergia Tech will supprt ne trainee beginning the secnd grant year and tw trainees in years 3-5. Supprt during years 4 and 5 f the training prgram, and any subsequent years, will be the respnsibility f the research advisr f the trainee fr their dissertatin wrk. A summary f this plan is presented as fllws: Number f Trainees Predctral Grant Years YR1 YR2 YR3 YR4 YR5 A. Training Grant Supprt B. University Supprt C. Advisr Supprt 3 6 D. Ttal Number c. Prgram f Study The pre-dctral training prgram expses the trainee t basic and applied sciences in neurscience, the neural cntrl f mvement, mechanical engineering and mvement dynamics, electrical engineering and signal prcessing, bimedical engineering, general systems physilgy, experimental design and statistics, rehabilitatin medicine, a wide range f tpics in prsthetics and rthtics and advanced thery in neurmechanical and bimechanical mdeling. The prgram is a flexible interdisciplinary prgram f study fcused specifically n prsthetics and rthtics research. Curses required fr this prgram include three curses in bimechanics and neural cntrl (9 hrs), tw curses in integrated systems physilgy (6 hrs), ne curse in statistics (3 hrs) and tw research seminars (6 hrs), ne in the Respnsible Cnduct f Research (RCR) and the ther a general research seminar fr a ttal f 24 required hurs. All instructrs are experienced teachers and all are philsphically aligned with the theme f vertical integratin and a multidisciplinary apprach t research and educatin. In additin t the required hurs, per Gergia Tech guidelines, there is a minimum f nine elective hurs in related curses, chsen by the student in cnsultatin with his/her Advisry Cmmittee, that are required f each student. The purpse f the minr is t encurage a wider interest n the part f the student and t prvide a brader basis fr the evaluatin f the student's capabilities n the written cmprehensive exam and in their ttal dctral prgram. An extensive breadth f curses, including all MSPO clinical classes, dissectin anatmy, classes at Emry and Gergia State and classes in several units n the Gergia Tech prvide a menu f chices t serve as elective classes fr this flexible, interdisciplinary prgram. Each student is expected t participate in a Rehabilitatin Research Issues Seminar each semester (ne hur) fr the perid f their training. This seminar will be bradly applied t current issues in Rehabilitatin Medicine. All students are als required by Gergia Tech t cmplete a minimum f 12 hurs f dissertatin tpics (they usually sign up fr many mre dissertatin hurs) t fill in their schedule. The ttal number f hurs including the 24 required hurs, the 9 elective hurs and the 12 dissertatin hurs fr the prgram is 45. The Operatins Cmmittee (Dr. Gregr, Chair) will review any petitins t exempt these requirements. Students may begin taking elective curses apprved by their faculty advisr prir t cmpletin f the required classes. Hwever, all students must satisfactrily cmplete all required classes befre they are eligible t take the written cmprehensive examinatin. 3

4 4 APPH 6201 Bimechanics/Kinesilgy in Prsthetics and Orthtics (1 semester) (3 hrs) Specific t prsthetics and rthtics infrmatin related t the use f skeletal muscle as a resurce t the nervus system are presented. Muscle synergies, limb-based dynamics, ttal bdy mechanics and lcal and central neural cntrl systems and lgic are discussed. APPH 6202 Clinical Gait Analysis (1 semester) (3 hrs) Techniques in gait analysis are studied in extensive labratry experiences in mtin capture, musculskeletal mdeling, segmental inertial parameters as related t the prperties f varius prsthetic and rthtic devices and/r prsthetic devices are emphasized. APPH 6212, 6213 Systems Physilgy II & III (2 semesters) (6 hrs) Several faculty members team- teach this curse frm the Schl f Applied Physilgy as well as selected Adjunct Faculty, e.g. Patricia Nichls. The curse will cver advanced principles in physilgy frm the level f functin f individual physilgical systems (6212) t system integratin, adaptatin and hmestasis (6213). APPH 6225 Bistatistics (1 semester) (3 hrs) This curse cvers basic statistics and experimental design used in physilgical research, fr example, ANOVA, Repeated Measures Analysis and Linear Regressin. APPH 6231 Bimechanical Aspects f Human Mvement Cntrl (1 semester) (3 hrs) Advanced techniques in the neurmechanical analysis f mvement and theries f mvement cntrl are explred. Crrelatins between utput f elements in the central nervus system, i.e. the mtr crtex, and selected bimechanical parameters in 3D are studied. APPH 8000 General Research Seminar (1 semester) (3 hrs) This curse will be taught by multiple faculty: critiquing published manuscripts, research hyptheses in the different labs in the Schl, research ethics (IRB, IACUC) and presentatin f scientific results. APPH 8001 Respnsible Cnduct f Research Seminar (New) (3 hrs) The written cmprehensive exam assesses bth general knwledge f the degree area (primarily in the cursewrk listed abve) and specialized knwledge f the student s chsen research field. (GT General Catalg, The cntent f the exam will be set by the student s academic advisr and members f the student s Advisry Cmmittee with input frm curse instructrs frm bth the required and elective classes and clinical faculty frm prsthetics and rthtics. While certain fundamental material will be tested, e g. systems physilgy and bimechanics and neural cntrl, the exam can be flexible in cntent and frmat accrding t each student s specific prgram area. Hwever, while there is the apprpriate flexibility in exam cntent related t the specific interests f each student, there are certain fundamental materials required f all students and a written cmprehensive exam administered by the Operatins Cmmittee is required fr all students. Students will typically take the written cmprehensive exam sme time after the spring semester f their secnd year fllwing cmpletin f the required cursewrk and sme electives but n later than by the end f their 5 th semester during the fall f their third year. Actual timing f the exam hwever, will be the respnsibility f the student s Advisry Cmmittee cnsidering the individual prgress f each student. A passing grade f 75% is required n all parts f the exam. If a student fails any part f the cmprehensive exam, the Operatins Cmmittee in cnsultatin with the Student s Advisry Cmmittee will determine whether the candidate may sit fr the exam a secnd time. This secnd exam can be either ral r written and wuld cver areas f the cmprehensive exam that the student failed previusly. At the end f this prcess the student is still expected t pass with a grade f 75% all areas f the exam r be terminated frm the prgram. A permanent recrd f all exams will be maintained in the ffice f the Schl f Applied Physilgy.

5 5 Research training will begin at the start f the first semester and cntinue each semester until the dissertatin is cmpleted. Training in the first semester will include the first frmal labratry rtatin, a required graduate seminar (AP 8000) designed t rganize their thughts int a research fcus area, and a Rehabilitatin Research Issues Seminar fcused n the multidisciplinary nature f rehabilitatin research. Research training will cntinue in the secnd semester with a required class in Bistatistics (APPH 6225), anther frmal lab rtatin, anther seminar in Issues in Rehabilitatin Research and the Seminar in the Respnsible Cnduct f Research required in this training prgram. Frmal labratry rtatins will cntinue thrugh the third semester (and pssibly the furth semester depending n the student s prgress) allwing each trainee the pprtunity t develp skills in basic and applied research techniques in a range f fields relevant t prsthetics and rthtics. 1. General Prgram Requirements Teaching Requirement Ph.D. students shall participate in at least ne teaching practicum t expse them t the elements invlved in rganizing and teaching a class. Students wh have passed the written Cmprehensive Exam will be required t wrk clsely with a faculty member fr ne semester in all aspects f teaching a curse, including planning the curse, preparing and delivering lectures r leading discussin sessins, hlding ffice hurs, preparing and grading hmewrk and exams. The faculty member is expected t attend the selected number f lectures delivered by the student and prvide in-depth feedback. The faculty member f recrd will maintain full respnsibility fr the curse. Oral Qualifying Examinatin Within six mnths fllwing the written cmprehensive exam, the student will make a public ral presentatin f the dissertatin prpsal t their Dissertatin Cmmittee and ther interested students and faculty. This presentatin is technically intended fr the student s cmmittee; hwever, ther faculty input is encuraged t assist the student in recgnizing pssible difficulties in his/her research plan prir t cnducting the research. A cpy f the final prpsal shuld be submitted t each cmmittee member and t the Schl ffice tw weeks prir t the scheduled prpsal presentatin. After apprval f the final dissertatin research by the faculty advisr, the written dissertatin will be distributed t ther members f the Dissertatin Cmmittee in preparatin fr the final ral defense f the cmpleted research prject. The dissertatin must be in final frm with respect t cntent, frmat, and accuracy. One cpy shuld be submitted t each cmmittee member and the Schl ffice tw weeks prir t the date f the final ral defense. Once the final ral defense has been successfully cmpleted, the candidate will then fllw standard Gergia Tech prcedures as set by the Office f Graduate Studies and Research t frmally be awarded the Ph.D. degree. Prgram f Study By design there is flexibility built int the prgram t allw trainees frm different backgrunds t enter and t be successful in the training prgram. This flexibility cncept is discussed belw. Each student entering the Training Prgram will be required t attend the Orientatin Week fr the MSPO Prgram which is held the week prir t the beginning f fall semester. This will be required because students will be seeing patients sme time during their training prgram and the sessins during Orientatin Week cver imprtant infrmatin such as CPR, patient mnitring, apprpriate behavir in wrking with certain patient ppulatins, etc. All students will fllw the academic plan utlined belw with individualized minr areas and ther needs established by the student s Advisry Cmmittee. YEAR 1: Fall Semester General Research Seminar APPH hurs Bimechanics/Kinesilgy in P&O APPH hurs Clinical Gait Analysis APPH hurs Lab Rtatin/Ind. Research (New) 2 hurs

6 6 Rehabilitatin Research Issues Seminar in P&O (New) 1 hur Spring Semester Systems Physilgy II APPH hurs BiStatistics APPH hurs Seminar in RCR (New) 3 hurs Lab Rtatin/Ind. Research (New) 2 hurs Rehabilitatin Research Issues Seminar in P&O (New) 1 hur YEAR 2: Fall Semester Systems Physilgy III APPH hurs Elective/Dissertatin 6 hurs Lab Rtatin/Ind. Research (New) 2 hurs Rehabilitatin Research Issues Seminar (New) 1 hur Spring Semester Bimech. f Mvt. Cntrl APPH hurs Elective/Dissertatin 6 hurs Lab Rtatin/Ind. Research (if needed, pssibly in advisr s lab) 2 hurs Rehabilitatin Research Issues Seminar (New) 1 hur The written cmprehensive exam will be cmpleted by the student prir t the start f fall semester f the student s third year. Extenuating circumstances will be handled n an individualized basis. YEARS: Fall Semester 3-5 Elective/Dissertatin 11 hurs Rehabilitatin Research Issues Seminar (New) 1 hur Spring Semester Elective/Dissertatin 11 hurs Rehabilitatin Research Issues Seminar (New) 1 hurs (Submissin f an individual NRSA grant applicatin during the Spring Semester f Year 3 after cnsultatin with their majr advisr and members f the dissertatin cmmittee is expected.)