Only a small percentage of O&P professionals are likely to conduct research on a full-time basis. However, to thrive in today’s “pay for performance” reimbursement environment, the vast majority of practitioners must become wellequipped consumers of the emerging scientific research driving Evidence Based Practice. This interactive session will use journal articles to illustrate sound experimental design and appropriate conclusions, and discuss how to find articles related to a specific topic of interest. Participants will compare a range of articles displaying excellent content and sound research with those that may not appear as conclusive under the scrutiny of a more critical eye.

The American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists undertook this three phase study to establish preliminary data comparing the number of CPOs to the number of eligible Medicare beneficiaries likely to need P&O services in each state. Phase I identified discrepancies in the distribution of qualified practitioners and identified a geographic cluster of Southern states where there are substantially less qualified practitioners per potential P&O patient than elsewhere in the country. This Phase II report analyzes these data by Metropolitan Statistical Areas to provide additional insight into the distribution of qualified practitioners in high and low population density regions of the country. Practical implications from this new research will be discussed.