O&P Research Insights with Dr. Steve Gard

AAOP - The American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists

Join Dr. Steve Gard, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics (JPO) as he meets one-on-one with the author of a featured article to extract the take away points of the research conducted. These 30-minute podcasts will provide O&P clinicians and rehab specialists with actionable knowledge that may be implemented in practice. This podcast is intended for any and all involved with O&P patient care.

  1. May 27

    Examining the Impact of Microaggressions in Healthcare and the Efficacy of Microaggressions Education in Orthotics and Prosthetics

    In this episode, Dr. Steve Gard, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, speaks with Amandi Rhett, MS, CPO, LPO, FAAOP, assistant professor in the Baylor College of Medicine Orthotics and Prosthetics Program and assistant dean of community health at the college’s School of Health Professions, about the impact of microaggressions in healthcare and efforts to address them within the orthotics and prosthetics profession. Rhett explains how subtle verbal, nonverbal, and environmental slights directed toward marginalized groups can affect workplace culture, clinician-patient relationships, and patient outcomes. Drawing from her own experiences and recognizing a lack of O&P-specific training in this area, she and her coauthors developed an interactive workshop using real-world scenarios to help clinicians identify and respond to microaggressions. The conversation explores examples such as mispronouncing ethnic names, assumptions about patient behavior, and misuse of pronouns, along with the workshop’s early results, which showed increased participant confidence and awareness. Rhett also discusses the study’s limitations, future plans to expand the training, and the importance of fostering more inclusive and respectful healthcare environments.   Show notes JPO article: Examining the Impact of Microaggressions in Healthcare and the Efficacy of Microaggressions Education in Orthotics and Prosthetics O&P Research Insights is produced by Association Briefings.

    28 min
  2. Apr 22

    Lessons From Sustained Multidisciplinary Research Collaborations in Global Rehabilitation

    In this episode, Dr. Steve Gard, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, is joined by Aarti Deshpande, MS, CPO, FAAOP, clinical manager at the University of California San Francisco Orthotic and Prosthetics Center, to discuss her 2026 Academy Annual Meeting session, “Lessons From Sustained Multidisciplinary Research Collaborations in Global Rehabilitation.” Drawing on experience across India, the UK, and the United States, Deshpande shares how different healthcare systems shaped her approach to equity and outcome-based care. She unpacks what true multidisciplinary collaboration looks like in practice—bringing together clinicians, researchers, trainees, administrators, and funders around a shared, patient-centered goal. The conversation explores how research can directly inform clinical workflows, policy, and long-term program sustainability, along with the skills that make collaboration effective, including listening, cultural humility, and intentional, two-way planning. Deshpande also addresses the real-world challenges—cultural and language differences, logistics, ethics, and infrastructure limitations—that can complicate global work. Throughout the episode, she underscores the urgency of addressing global access gaps and workforce shortages, while offering practical insight into building sustainable, locally grounded solutions and translating evidence into meaningful practice.   O&P Research Insights is produced by Association Briefings.

    31 min
  3. Mar 25

    Cranial Remolding Orthosis Study on the Use of a Temperature Sensor to Measure Wear Time

    In this episode, recorded live at the 52nd Academy Annual Meeting in Nashville, Dr. Steve Gard, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, is joined by Scott Thach, MSPO, CPO, LPO, a pediatric-certified prosthetist-orthotist at Shriners Children's Hawaii, to discuss his 2025 JPO Article of the Year centered on cranial remolding orthosis (CRO) wear time for deformational plagiocephaly. While CROs are commonly prescribed for 23 hours per day, his study set out to measure actual adherence using an objective approach. By placing a temperature sensor on the helmet strap and blinding caregivers to the data collection, the research revealed a notable gap between reported wear (about 22 hours per day) and actual wear (closer to 18 hours per day). The conversation explores how increased wear time correlates with improved cranial measurements such as CVA and CVAI in plagiocephaly cases, while results were less consistent for brachycephaly. Thach also discusses the challenges of conducting the study during COVID, the importance of objective data in clinical decision-making, and future research opportunities, including differences between daytime and nighttime wear and the role of conditions like torticollis.   Show notes JPO article: Cranial Remolding Orthosis Study on the Use of a Temperature Sensor to Measure Wear Time O&P Research Insights is produced by Association Briefings.

    18 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Join Dr. Steve Gard, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics (JPO) as he meets one-on-one with the author of a featured article to extract the take away points of the research conducted. These 30-minute podcasts will provide O&P clinicians and rehab specialists with actionable knowledge that may be implemented in practice. This podcast is intended for any and all involved with O&P patient care.