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.

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.

In this episode, Dr. Steve Gard, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, is joined by Kiley Armstrong, MPO, CPO, Research Prosthetist-Orthotist at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, and Juan Cave II, MSPO, CPO, FAAOP, Advanced Research Prosthetist-Orthotist at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, for a conversation on why clinically relevant O&P research matters. Together, they explore the critical role clinicians play in shaping meaningful research that supports evidence-based practice, improves patient outcomes, and informs policy decisions. Kiley and Juan share their professional journeys into O&P and research, discuss impactful projects they’ve been involved in, and offer practical guidance for practitioners interested in contributing to research efforts. The episode highlights the importance of collaboration, networking, and breaking down barriers to better integrate clinical practice with research initiatives.

O&P Research Insights is produced by Association Briefings.