Professional Development Opportunities: Short Courses & Webinars
At the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO), our commitment to lifelong learning is central to our mission. As the recognised professional body for prosthetists and orthotists in the UK, we understand the critical role that accessible, high-quality education plays in maintaining clinical standards, advancing practice, and enabling career development.
Our educational programmes are designed to empower practitioners—whether newly qualified or highly experienced—with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to meet the dynamic needs of modern prosthetic and orthotic care. BAPO supports professionals throughout their career journeys, ensuring that learning opportunities are relevant, practical, and impactful.
Webinars
Our wide-ranging webinar series offers engaging content delivered by leading experts in the field. Topics include emerging technologies, clinical best practices, patient case studies, healthcare policy updates, and interdisciplinary approaches. These flexible online sessions provide members with the opportunity to stay abreast of current developments—all from the convenience of their home or workplace.
Structured Short Courses
In addition to webinars, BAPO delivers structured short courses aimed at deepening specialist knowledge and promoting professional excellence. These courses are grounded in real-world practice and aligned with evolving clinical demands, offering hands-on learning and peer collaboration. Participants benefit from interactive formats that encourage dialogue, critical thinking, and practical application.
Member-Led and Accessible
Our educational initiatives are shaped by the profession itself. We actively seek member feedback and encourage topic suggestions, ensuring that our content remains relevant and responsive to the evolving needs of prosthetists and orthotists. Furthermore, BAPO is proud to offer many of our webinars and learning resources at no cost or reduced rates to members, reinforcing our commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.
Through ongoing investment in education, BAPO is not only supporting the growth and development of individual practitioners but also contributing to the advancement of the profession as a whole.
Course description:Â
Orthotic management of early stroke – A one day course
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Within our busy clinical schedules, orthotists are often requested to provide opinion on orthotic intervention for stroke patients at all stages of their recovery. A common comment is we wish we had seen them earlier. If our wish came true. What would we do and what is the ideal approach for orthotic treatment from day one?
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For physiotherapists, there are a plethora of evidence based interventions with little guidance for best approach treating and managing stroke survivors with motor impairments
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Our course offers a well thought out clinically reasoned approach based on physiotherapy interventions and NICE guidelines to create a care pathway that gives patients and therapists the best opportunity to reach optimal recovery and independence.
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This course commences with formal presentations supporting the pathway and leads to practical demonstration with patients.
Learning Outcomes:Â
Orthotic management of early stroke Â
Background and understanding of stroke pathology Â
What’s the evidence for interventions?Â
Current practice and variabilityÂ
A proposed model to optimise motor learning.Â
Practical assessment and clinical testÂ
Simulating interventionsÂ
Complimentary interventionsÂ
Case studiesÂ
Intended Participants:Â
​​☒​ Orthotists
​​☒​ Orthotic support workers
​​☒​ Other: Physiotherapists Â
We encourage practising Orthotists or Orthotic Support Workers, who must be working in the UK, to apply for reimbursement from OETT (The Orthotic Education and Training Trust).
Course fee funding for non-BAPO members would be at the BAPO member rate for practising Orthotists or Orthotic Support Workers, who must be working in the UK only.
Applications can be made via the online applications link on the OETT website: www.oett.org.uk
Requests for reimbursement must include evidence of reflective learning/CPD.
Conservative Management of Knee Osteoarthritis: Evidence, Bracing Techniques, and Case StudiesÂ
Current Evidence and NICE ThresholdsÂ
Speaker:Â Dr. Jill Halstead-RastrickÂ
Description: Exercise and weight loss are the first-line treatments for knee osteoarthritis (OA). Alongside this, knee braces offer people with knee pain an alternative treatment option, especially for those where first line treatments or knee surgery are not possible, but the evidence is limited. Â
Knee bracing was reviewed as part of the recent OA NICE guideline update and this will be discussed.Â
Auditing Knee Brace ProvisionÂ
Speaker:Â Matthew WoodÂ
Description: During the Covid-19 pandemic, when elective surgery was suspended on the NHS, the waiting list for total knee replacements got longer with fewer resources available to manage deteriorating patients. We designed an audit to propose appropriate patients are offered an orthotists’ assessment whilst they wait, and a protocol was agreed. This provided us with an opportunity to prove that the research supporting knee bracing could provide benefits to quality of life, improve outcomes, and reduce costs. Â
In this session, we wish to share the learning from this audit and provide a framework for those interested in addressing local barriers to provision.Â
Biomechanical Principles and Brace Selection for OA BracingÂ
Speaker:Â Giles Leeming
Description: Bracing for knee osteoarthritis relies on biomechanical principles to manage the osteoarthritis (OA) by redistributing the mechanical load across the knee joint. Understanding these principles is crucial for selecting and customising braces to cater to individual patient needs, ensuring effective pain management and functional improvement. Giles Leeming will go through these principles, and will also delve into the principles for accurate brace selection; and present case studies Â
Giles will also introduce Allan Henshall, a bi-lateral brace user and will also present problem-solving through various case studies.
Past Short Courses & Webinars
