More Than a Residency: What Sets the Orthotics & Prosthetics Program Apart 

What makes the residency component of the Orthotics and Prosthetics (O&P) program on the Drexel University, Elkins Park Campus stand out? We did a deep dive with O&P chair and program director J. Chad Duncan, PhD, CRC, CPO, LPO, and here’s what he had to say:  

Q: How do residency programs in O&P help bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world clinical practice? 

A: Residency is often described as an extension of one’s education, a critical phase where clinicians truly develop their professional skills. This makes the integration between academic programs and clinical sites a natural and necessary collaboration. However, while clinicians excel in patient care, they are not always formally trained as educators. Balancing clinical responsibilities with the added demands of mentoring a resident can be challenging. This is where the academic faculty supervisor plays a vital role. As supervisors, we can support both the clinician and the resident by facilitating communication, offering guidance, and ensuring educational National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE) goals are met. 

Q: In what ways do residencies enhance the hands-on experience for students pursuing a career in O&P? 
 
A: Residency bridges the gap between classroom learning and real-world clinical practice daily. In school, students may perform exceptionally or struggle with assignments, receive feedback, and then move on. In contrast, residency demands consistent performance and does not accommodate mediocrity. Residents are actively involved in patient care under the supervision of clinical mentors, ensuring that each patient receives high-quality, attentive care. It is this ongoing, hands-on experience that truly solidifies and integrates clinical knowledge. 

Q: Why is it important for O&P students to receive mentorship during their residency? 
 
A: Mentorship is a key driver of professional growth, and having two mentors - one from the clinical site and one from academic faculty - enhances both support and engagement. The integrated residency model is designed to prioritize the resident's learning experience.  

Unlike traditional models, where residents function primarily as employees, the integrated approach ensures  residents are treated as learners first.  

This structure provides a safety net: if challenges arise with one mentor, the second can offer perspective and continuity. A strong mentor has the power to elevate a resident's experience, and having dual mentorships helps ensure consistent guidance and forward momentum throughout the residency.  

Q: How do residency programs contribute to the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills  post-graduation?  

A: Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are foundational to success in the O&P profession. These skills are essential for navigating the complexity and variability of patient care, where no two cases are exactly alike. The integrated residency model is specifically designed to cultivate these core competencies by creating a structured environment where residents are encouraged to think analytically, evaluate options, and adapt their clinical approach in real time. 

Regular check-ins between faculty and site mentors serve as key opportunities for reflection and growth. These conversations allow residents to ask meaningful questions, explore alternative approaches, and refine their clinical reasoning. Whether it's finding a better way to explain a concept to a patient or choosing a more effective treatment strategy, these critical thinking moments are what elevate clinical care. The integrated structure ensures residents are supported as they develop the confidence and insight needed to become thoughtful, independent practitioners. Thus, being ready post-graduation. 

Q: How does a residency program ensure students are exposed to a variety of patient cases and clinical environments in O&P? 

A: We have guidelines to follow, and we use those guidelines to ask questions of the student residents. There is also a tracking system provided by our residency accreditor, NCOPE, which has students input data. If student residents aren't getting the right exposures, we work with the sites to provide those experiences. We really try to protect our students and to make sure they are getting the appropriate exposures. They will definitely not be doing foot orthotics all the time. Crazy enough, that does happen.  

Q: Why are residencies considered essential for fostering professional growth and confidence in O&P graduates/students? 
 
A: Residency is a required step in becoming a certified practitioner, as mandated by our credentialing body, the American Board of Certification (ABC). Without completing a residency, graduates are not eligible to sit for the board exams. Beyond this requirement, residency is an essential bridge between the classroom and the real-world practice of orthotics and prosthetics. While school offers a foundational understanding, residency immerses you in the dynamic, hands-on work that defines our profession. One moment you might be fitting custom shoes for an 80-year-old patient with rheumatoid arthritis; the next, you're evaluating a child with cerebral palsy for an orthotic device, followed by a hospital call to measure a patient for a post-operative prosthesis. The diversity of patients and clinical situations is what makes this field both challenging and incredibly rewarding. Residency provides the vital experience and exposure needed to thrive in this career. 

Q: How do residency experiences help O&P students improve their patient communication and care strategies? 

A: Strong communication skills are essential for success in the orthotics and prosthetics profession, and we place a strong emphasis on developing those skills throughout the educational journey. Residency serves as a full immersion into daily clinical practice, where effective communication becomes critical, not only with patients but also within the care team.  

If a student resident faces challenges, clinical mentors collaborate closely with our academic team to address concerns early and constructively. Together, we meet with the student to identify solutions, provide support, and reinforce strategies for growth. This collaborative approach ensures communication challenges become development opportunities. Ultimately, it’s about teamwork. Working together to build confident, competent professionals ready to thrive in the clinical environment. 

For more information about the O&P program on the Elkins Park Campus, click here.