There exists a strong demand for orthotics and prosthetics (O & P) in Latin America, with approximately 2.5 million people in need of this type of care. IPRO 309 was started in the spring of 2006... Show moreThere exists a strong demand for orthotics and prosthetics (O & P) in Latin America, with approximately 2.5 million people in need of this type of care. IPRO 309 was started in the spring of 2006 with the goal of helping to make this type of care more readily available. However, there are only 50 certified, and 1500 uncertified, O & P practitioners in Latin America. In order to become a certified practitioner, a student must graduate from an ISPO accredited program. Unfortunately, there is currently only one ISPO accredited program in existence in Latin America, along with several other programs that are not ISPO accredited. In October of 2004, Centro Don Bosco (Bogotá, Colombia), Don Bosco University (San Salvador, El Salvador), and the Laboratorio Gilete (Bogotá, Colombia) signed an agreement to establish the first accredited O & P education program in Colombia. Since then, Centro Don Bosco has allotted 3,500 square feet of space for the thriving faculty, classrooms, manufacturing training, and vocational workspace that are necessary for an ISPO accredited program. There are three levels of accreditation according to ISPO standards. Category III involves the design and manufacturing of orthotic and prosthetic devices, Category II includes the fabrication of the devices as well as direct patient care, and Category I includes production, treatment for patients, and research and development. The equivalent to ISPO in the United States is the American Board of Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics (ABC). Because it is independent from the ISPO, the ABC standards of accreditation will need to be taken into account in order to carefully cross cultural and national boundaries. Show less
