E46: A Physical Therapist’s Perspective on Prosthetics

Happy holidays! In this episode, we welcomed Dara L’Italien, a lecturer at Sargent College. With clinical experience at the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, she specializes in prosthetics after the Boston Marathon Bombing. As a physical therapist, she shares how she has helped patients to deal with internal and external stressors after amputation and recommendations on how to get in the field of prosthetics. Here are some resources if you are interested in getting into the field: This is a link for the Orthotics and Prosthetics Activities Foundation. Unfortunately, they were impacted by COVID-19 and have decided to go into “dormancy” until after the global pandemic has passed. This is a wonderful foundation that sponsors lots of adaptive recreational activities nationwide to help get folks “back on their feet” and resuming activities like dancing, swimming, diving, rock climbing, etc. AmpSurf is another fantastic organization that promotes Surf therapy and other outdoor activities. They have a few “clinics” here on the east coast, but they also sponsor activities nationwide. The Amputee Coalition is a great resource for people with amputations and for clinicians who want to help this community. They oversee peer mentorship programs and provide a lot of education on many issues that face persons with amputations. They also hold a yearly conference which is open to people with limb loss, their families, and health care providers. For clinicians looking to expand their knowledge about prosthetics, I would also suggest people to look into the continuing education provided by many of the prosthetic technology companies such as Ossur and Ottobock. I would also follow Bob Gailey, who is a PT specializing in prosthetics. The moderator of the podcast is Dr. Karen Jacobs ([email protected]), who is the Associate Dean, Digital Learning and Innovation, a Clinical Professor and the Program Director for the on-line post-professional doctorate in the occupational therapy program at Sargent College. Marial Williams ([email protected]), a Boston University entry-level occupational therapy doctoral student, composed the music for the podcast.