The challenges of upgrading from ISPO Category II level to Bachelor Degree level by distance education

The Cambodian School of Prosthetics and Orthotics (CSPO) in collaboration with La Trobe University, Australia, has established an upgrade programme from ISPO Category II level to a Bachelor Degree in Prosthetics and Orthotics. One group of students have completed the course and following a review process, a second group are now enrolled. The upgrade curriculum focuses on clinical reasoning and development of learning skills. A survey aimed to investigate the challenges of the programme using long distance education was prepared and data was gathered by questionnaires delivered to the organizer, host, coordinators, lecturers and students of the programme. Eleven subjects from various backgrounds participated in the questionnaire. The questionnaire showed the programme improves the capacity of the clinicians and future educators in Cambodia and the region. The distance education course delivery method was found to be beneficial for the students and allows them to remain in their home country. In addition, there is a cost reduction compared to full-time study in Australia.