Interview with Al Pike, CP and President of Amputee Resource
Foundation of America

Biography: While working with Amputee Rehabilitation Services, Mr. Pike established the first national Information Resource Center for amputees for access to information on prosthetics and amputee rehabilitation via printed text, video tape, the Internet, and referral to specialized professionals.

Consultant to manufacturers & companies with concepts for the prosthetic industry. Disability awareness training (amputation).
Technical advisor amputees/prostheses in the media (Motion picture, Novels & Theater). Expert testimony for personal injury litigation
involving amputation.

Director of Professional Relations Director of Advertising & Technical Information Otto Bock Orthopedic Industry, Inc. USA 1977--96

1.  How long have you been a prosthetist?
37 years. Experience can only be obtained over time and with prosthetics being an art/science the more experience the better the practitioner of the art.

2.  How did you get started in this field?
I had a interest in medicine and came into prosthetics following four years in the Armed Forces Medical Service. Some prosthetists come from a background of medicine many are children of physicians, not as many as before but many are amputees themselves, some are from families already in the prosthetics field. Others it is wanting to be in a people (caring) service business. However, there is a growing shortage of individuals choosing this profession.

3.  Exactly what does 'Certified' mean in reference to a Prosthetist?
Certified Prosthetist, Certified Orthotist, and Certified Prosthetist Orthotist are registered trademarks of the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics, Inc. CP, CO, and CPO may only be used by individuals that have been board certified and in good standing with ABC.

4.  Is there such a thing as a Non-Certified prosthetist?
As prosthetics is an unregulated industry in the United States there are many non-certified prosthetists in practice. Anyone may call himself or herself a prosthetist.

5.  How does an amputee find out if their choice of prosthetist is certified?
One can ask. However, it is known that non-certified prosthetists misrepresent to the amputee that they are "certified". After all prosthetics is a very profitable business in the United States.

6.  What schooling/training is involved in becoming Certified?
Today to become ABC Board Certified one must have a baccalaureate degree, successfully completed a course of study accredited by NCOPE (National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education) in cooperation with CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs), successfully completed a residency program in the discipline to be tested, and pass a national examination administered by ABC. Then maintain their certification through mandatory continuing education. However there are only seven accredited schools for prosthetists in the United States.

7.  What should a potential prosthetic wearer look for in this phase of their rehabilitation?
Communication and information, they should be an informed partner in the process.

8. Are there any dangers that an amputee should be aware of?
Yes, misinformation and misdirection.

9.  Do you foresee the need for more qualified prosthetics in the future? Why?
Yes, it has been forecasted that there will be a 47% increase of individuals in need of prostheses by the year 2020. As early as 2005 it is expected only 68% of amputees in need of prostheses will have access to a trained prosthetist. Today many amputees are receiving unsupervised prosthetic care from individuals without formal training in prosthetics.

10.  I know there is lots of information on the Internet for amputees and rehabilitation. What about the non-computer person? Where can they go to get information on the best prosthetist in their area?
From a number of other amputees in their area.

11.  Big Corporate prosthetic companies seem to be overtaking the individual prosthetist. Is this good for the amputee who needs a prosthesis?
Big corporations are accountable to the stockholders who purchase stock in the company for the purpose of making a profit. Some big companies are public companies and it is public information how they stay profitable. I do not recall these public reports addressing the amputee's needs.

12.  If you could tell all amputees, women, man or child one thing, what would it be?
There is a life after amputation and the amputation is the first phase of rehabilitation.