Orthotics Prosthetics Canada (OPC) partnered with ACT in July 2021 to undertake a comprehensive practice analysis and validation study for our Certified Clinicians and Registered Technicians specializing in orthotics and prosthetics.

Practice analysis is a rigorous and legally sound approach essential for designing or updating credentialing examinations. It underscores the ongoing importance of maintaining the relevance of our certification program's test content. We prioritize the concept of validity and conduct practice analysis to ensure that the content evaluated in our credentialing efforts aligns precisely with the skills and knowledge required for proficient performance while upholding the mission of public protection. Practice analysis is the cornerstone upon which OPC establishes, sustains, and defends the content validity of our examination program.

The study's specific objectives encompass:

• Defining and validating the practice domains, specific tasks, and the corresponding knowledge and skills necessary for Clinicians and Technicians.
• Identifying distinctions in practice patterns among Certified Clinicians and Registered Technicians.
• Recognizing differences between the orthotics and prosthetics disciplines in terms of practice areas.
• Quantifying the time and tasks related to various orthotic and prosthetic devices.
• Describing the patient demographics, including age and etiology, who receive direct patient care from orthotic and prosthetic credentialed Clinicians.
• Developing robust test specifications for the orthotics and prosthetics disciplines for our written multiple-choice examinations, catering to Certified Prosthetists, Certified Orthotists, Registered Prosthetic Technicians, and Registered Orthotic Technicians.

This study serves as a testament to our commitment to maintaining the highest standards in the orthotics and prosthetics field, ensuring that our practitioners are well-prepared to deliver quality care to the public.