Training and qualifications
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Daril Atkins
Aug 15, 2009, 12:00:11 PM8/15/09
to Anaplastology
My colleague who has no pre-requisite qualifications, but has hands on
experience since the year 2000 mainly in 'Ocular Prosthetics' wants to
know about training and qualification prospects with any institute or
individual. She has exposure to facial and somato prostheses but has
more experience in ocular work due to the nature of the workload. I
would welcome suggestions from members.
experience since the year 2000 mainly in 'Ocular Prosthetics' wants to
know about training and qualification prospects with any institute or
individual. She has exposure to facial and somato prostheses but has
more experience in ocular work due to the nature of the workload. I
would welcome suggestions from members.
Daril Atkins
Sep 11, 2009, 3:03:02 AM9/11/09
to Anaplastology
Daril, am quite intrigued by the fact that your colleague has no pre
requisite qualifications. I wonder if, for example, those who are BCOs
have pre requisite qualifications. Perhaps the fact that they would
spend almost five years before the board exam, is enough an
equivalent. In that case perhaps your colleague could sit for the BCO
exam if she can qualify. Do you think perhaps that in your part of the
world, that language would be a problem in sitting for the BCO or CCA
exams? In my personal opinion, she has two choices: one is to brush up
on her language skills, especially terminology / the other is to begin
a regular attendance at the bi annual conference of Ocularists. In the
same vein she could put in a regular attendance at the IAA meets in
the USA and try the BCCA exam. I hope this helps. It is a shame that
geographical and language barriers should prevent talented persons in
the developing world from sitting for the board exams. But again in my
humble opinion, this will change, rather has to change. I have an
intuition that you will be the one to bring about this change.
Best Wishes.
Tandigion
requisite qualifications. I wonder if, for example, those who are BCOs
have pre requisite qualifications. Perhaps the fact that they would
spend almost five years before the board exam, is enough an
equivalent. In that case perhaps your colleague could sit for the BCO
exam if she can qualify. Do you think perhaps that in your part of the
world, that language would be a problem in sitting for the BCO or CCA
exams? In my personal opinion, she has two choices: one is to brush up
on her language skills, especially terminology / the other is to begin
a regular attendance at the bi annual conference of Ocularists. In the
same vein she could put in a regular attendance at the IAA meets in
the USA and try the BCCA exam. I hope this helps. It is a shame that
geographical and language barriers should prevent talented persons in
the developing world from sitting for the board exams. But again in my
humble opinion, this will change, rather has to change. I have an
intuition that you will be the one to bring about this change.
Best Wishes.
Tandigion
Daril Atkins
Sep 11, 2009, 3:23:53 AM9/11/09
to Anaplastology
Thanks Tandigon, the silence was deafening. You are right to a large
extent in your perception of the root issue on an international scale.
For one getting an visa to visit the USA is not easy. Then again for
an individual from a developing country to incur the enormous expense
is daunting. If for example one aspires to sit for the BCO and the
BCCA exams, then one must make several visits to the USA. Each visit
may cost approx Indian Rupees one hundred thousand. For a non
certified individual yet trying to establish a practice, this would
require a second thought. Of course this discussion does not include
those who are well heeled or who get sponsored by their employers
(like me).
The second issue of the language barrier will definitely retard
efforts by the IAA to become truly international. For example many
individuals in the orient take great pride in speaking, reading,
writing, in their mother tongue. Their shortcomings with the English
language will prevent them from sitting for the BCO or the BCCA exams,
even though they may be highly skilled in the profession of
Anaplastology. This will affect the general profession of
Anaplastology, because we will not be able to share their experiences
which will be unique just as our own are. But as you rightly stated
this could change with or without the direct intervention of the
concerned boards.
Lastly from the practical point of view, your suggestion that my
colleague brush up her English language skills is valid and she is
currently working on that. She had applied for a visa to the USA to
attend the Atlanta conference, but oddly she received the visa about
three months ago, however with a long term validity. Thus she can
visit the USA for the next five years to attend the conferences.
Thank you for your constructive comments.
Daril Atkins
> > would welcome suggestions from members.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
extent in your perception of the root issue on an international scale.
For one getting an visa to visit the USA is not easy. Then again for
an individual from a developing country to incur the enormous expense
is daunting. If for example one aspires to sit for the BCO and the
BCCA exams, then one must make several visits to the USA. Each visit
may cost approx Indian Rupees one hundred thousand. For a non
certified individual yet trying to establish a practice, this would
require a second thought. Of course this discussion does not include
those who are well heeled or who get sponsored by their employers
(like me).
The second issue of the language barrier will definitely retard
efforts by the IAA to become truly international. For example many
individuals in the orient take great pride in speaking, reading,
writing, in their mother tongue. Their shortcomings with the English
language will prevent them from sitting for the BCO or the BCCA exams,
even though they may be highly skilled in the profession of
Anaplastology. This will affect the general profession of
Anaplastology, because we will not be able to share their experiences
which will be unique just as our own are. But as you rightly stated
this could change with or without the direct intervention of the
concerned boards.
Lastly from the practical point of view, your suggestion that my
colleague brush up her English language skills is valid and she is
currently working on that. She had applied for a visa to the USA to
attend the Atlanta conference, but oddly she received the visa about
three months ago, however with a long term validity. Thus she can
visit the USA for the next five years to attend the conferences.
Thank you for your constructive comments.
Daril Atkins
>
> - Show quoted text -
Paul Tanner
Sep 11, 2009, 12:24:05 PM9/11/09
to anapla...@googlegroups.com
I'm trying to see another perspective, but why would someone outside of the US need or want to take the BCCA or BCO exams. Are they required for other countries? If an exam was required by another country, why wouldn't their own country design it? In my mind, bottom line is that if you make a good prosthesis regardless of what any exam or education implies, you are doing your job and people will want to come to you for your services. Demand will always ultimately regulate our services.
Paul
Paul
Daril Atkins
Sep 12, 2009, 5:17:40 AM9/12/09
to Anaplastology
Could it be because of the lack of undergraduate courses in Ocular
prosthetics or Anaplastology for that matter? In order to be
recognized as such a professional one would at the least have been
certified by existing boards. India, the Middle East and more
countries in the Orient are encouraging hospitals in the Public and
Private sector to get accredited by JCIA. For example the hospital
where I work was accredited by the JCIA recently. In keeping with the
standards of quality, job description and designations require to be
credible.
The USA like Europe moved faster in the development of these
professions and eventually created boards to certify members who
practice, and then can regulate periodically. However in the
developing countries, many other important issues required priority
and so these professions developed more slowly. But take it from me,
that there will come a day when the developing countries will have
their own boards to certify practicing members.
In 1969 after qualifying as a Sculptor, I had an urge to set up shop
as a Sculptor. If I had, then perhaps forty years later, I may have
been able to say that I was successful because my talent in art was
enough to draw clients to my studio. However working as a para medical
professional, my credentials are important if I am to get work at all.
Daril Atkins
> > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -
prosthetics or Anaplastology for that matter? In order to be
recognized as such a professional one would at the least have been
certified by existing boards. India, the Middle East and more
countries in the Orient are encouraging hospitals in the Public and
Private sector to get accredited by JCIA. For example the hospital
where I work was accredited by the JCIA recently. In keeping with the
standards of quality, job description and designations require to be
credible.
The USA like Europe moved faster in the development of these
professions and eventually created boards to certify members who
practice, and then can regulate periodically. However in the
developing countries, many other important issues required priority
and so these professions developed more slowly. But take it from me,
that there will come a day when the developing countries will have
their own boards to certify practicing members.
In 1969 after qualifying as a Sculptor, I had an urge to set up shop
as a Sculptor. If I had, then perhaps forty years later, I may have
been able to say that I was successful because my talent in art was
enough to draw clients to my studio. However working as a para medical
professional, my credentials are important if I am to get work at all.
Daril Atkins
michael williams
Sep 12, 2009, 8:06:40 AM9/12/09
to anapla...@googlegroups.com
Hi Daril, I wondered where is your colleague who requires training based? Are they in or from a commonwealth country? I ask because when I was doing my advanced max fac training at manchester metropolitan university back in 1994 there were quite a number of students there from other commonwealth countries and through the EEC who were able to obtain scholarships to enable them to study as well as funding from other organisations or themselves. I obtained a Queen Elizabeth 2nd study award through our education ministry to enable me to study within another commonwealth country but besides gaining a qualification (at that time no advanced training for maxfac was avaiable in NZ) I was also able to organise a weekly study placements at a local maxfac unit which helped tremendously to improve the quality of the work I do today. You are probably aware allready about the course for a Msc in maxillofacial prosthetic rehabillitation which covers anaplastology studies as well as maxillofacial trauma and presurgical planning, scar management support and oncology appliances at Kings College, London Dental Institute in the UK. Their course would work well for people in other countries as it is set up for distance learning over 3 years. Check out their web address at http://www.kcl.ac.uk/schools/dentistry/pg/distance/mfpr/ Also the course I did at Manchester is now the Diploma in Professional studies at the MMU which forms part of their Bsc Hons degree in dental technology but you can contact Chris Maryan at the MMU for further info regarding this. In NZ in the past training for max fac prosthetics was literally on the job, just like your colleague but another option is obviously to send them on to a number of well respected units for short periods of time to obtain a wider base of training, particularly if it was organised with a professional association such as the IMPT in the UK or the IAA in the States or Canada. There are ways to improve what you do that wont necessarily result in a higher qualification (though that would be desirable) but training should be of a high enough standard to meet the needs of the individual concerned and the patient population they serve. Though I agree that even for developing countries, having their own registration boards to set minimum required standards of training to gaurantee quality of work but more importantly, protection for the patient is paramount. But if practitioner numbers are small then it may be more practical to utilise an internationally recognised qualification standard as a minimum requirement rather than one developed in their own country. Just a few thoughts on your Q, Mike Mike Williams, RCDT,MIMPT(UK), Maxillofacial Prosthetist & Technologist Maxillofacial,Oral Surgery and Dental Department, Waikato Hospital, Pembroke Street, Private Bag 3200, Hamilton, New Zealand. Tel ++64 7 839 8805 Fax ++64 7 839 8996 --- On Sat, 12/9/09, Daril Atkins <darila...@gmail.com> wrote: |
|
Daril Atkins
Sep 12, 2009, 8:37:45 AM9/12/09
to Anaplastology
Thank you Michael for your suggestions. We are located in the United
Arab Emirates, which is south of Iran. It is not part of the
Commonwealth and so those advantages will not be available to her.
You are right about exposure, because in this geographical location
our workload is dominated by the need for Ocular prostheses. We are,
as a matter of fact, drawing up a list of individuals and institutions
where she could intern on a short term. Thus if you or anyone on this
group can make suggestions, you are welcome. The Government will
sponsor my colleague, so any agreed payment will be met.
There is a unique situation here, Michael, in that the opportunity
for maxillofacial prostheses is practically nil. As regards other
facial prostheses, in the last twenty four years that I have been
here, one case of exenteration was referred, the others were cases
with either microtia or traumatic loss of the pinna. Other than that
we see partial hand loss / absence, but they form no more than 20% of
our workload. Consequently, as facial cases are practically 2% to 5%
of our workload, the retention by osseointegration is not practiced by
surgeons here, and so my colleague lacks exposure in these areas.
On a final note Michael, I would like to know more about your work.
And could you post some examples on this site.
Daril Atkins
On Sep 12, 4:06 pm, michael williams <wktomax...@yahoo.co.nz> wrote:
> Hi Daril, I wondered where is your colleague who requires training based? Are they in or from a commonwealth country?
> I ask because when I was doing my advanced max fac training at manchester metropolitan university back in 1994 there were quite a number of students there from other commonwealth countries and through the EEC who were able to obtain scholarships to enable them to study as well as funding from other organisations or themselves.
> I obtained a Queen Elizabeth 2nd study award through our education ministry to enable me to study within another commonwealth country but besides gaining a qualification (at that time no advanced training for maxfac was avaiable in NZ) I was also able to organise a weekly study placements at a local maxfac unit which helped tremendously to improve the quality of the work I do today.
> You are probably aware allready about the course for a Msc in maxillofacial prosthetic rehabillitation which covers
> anaplastology studies as well as maxillofacial trauma and presurgical planning, scar management support and oncology appliances at Kings College, London Dental Institute in the UK. Their course would work well for people in other countries as it is set up for distance learning over 3 years.
> Check out their web address athttp://www.kcl.ac.uk/schools/dentistry/pg/distance/mfpr/
Arab Emirates, which is south of Iran. It is not part of the
Commonwealth and so those advantages will not be available to her.
You are right about exposure, because in this geographical location
our workload is dominated by the need for Ocular prostheses. We are,
as a matter of fact, drawing up a list of individuals and institutions
where she could intern on a short term. Thus if you or anyone on this
group can make suggestions, you are welcome. The Government will
sponsor my colleague, so any agreed payment will be met.
There is a unique situation here, Michael, in that the opportunity
for maxillofacial prostheses is practically nil. As regards other
facial prostheses, in the last twenty four years that I have been
here, one case of exenteration was referred, the others were cases
with either microtia or traumatic loss of the pinna. Other than that
we see partial hand loss / absence, but they form no more than 20% of
our workload. Consequently, as facial cases are practically 2% to 5%
of our workload, the retention by osseointegration is not practiced by
surgeons here, and so my colleague lacks exposure in these areas.
On a final note Michael, I would like to know more about your work.
And could you post some examples on this site.
Daril Atkins
On Sep 12, 4:06 pm, michael williams <wktomax...@yahoo.co.nz> wrote:
> Hi Daril, I wondered where is your colleague who requires training based? Are they in or from a commonwealth country?
> I ask because when I was doing my advanced max fac training at manchester metropolitan university back in 1994 there were quite a number of students there from other commonwealth countries and through the EEC who were able to obtain scholarships to enable them to study as well as funding from other organisations or themselves.
> I obtained a Queen Elizabeth 2nd study award through our education ministry to enable me to study within another commonwealth country but besides gaining a qualification (at that time no advanced training for maxfac was avaiable in NZ) I was also able to organise a weekly study placements at a local maxfac unit which helped tremendously to improve the quality of the work I do today.
> You are probably aware allready about the course for a Msc in maxillofacial prosthetic rehabillitation which covers
> anaplastology studies as well as maxillofacial trauma and presurgical planning, scar management support and oncology appliances at Kings College, London Dental Institute in the UK. Their course would work well for people in other countries as it is set up for distance learning over 3 years.
> Also the course I did at Manchester is now the Diploma in Professional studies at the MMU which forms part of their Bsc Hons degree in dental technology but you can contact Chris Maryan at the MMU for further info regarding this.
> In NZ in the past training for max fac prosthetics was literally on the job, just like your colleague but another option is obviously to send them on to a number of well respected units for short periods of time to obtain a wider base of training, particularly if it was organised with a professional association such as the IMPT in the UK or the IAA in the States or Canada.
> There are ways to improve what you do that wont necessarily result in a higher qualification (though that would be desirable) but training should be of a high enough standard to meet the needs of the individual concerned and the patient population they serve.
> Though I agree that even for developing countries, having their own registration boards to set minimum required standards of training to gaurantee quality of work but more importantly, protection for the patient is paramount. But if practitioner numbers are small then it may be more practical to utilise an internationally recognised qualification standard as a minimum requirement rather than one developed in their own country.
> Just a few thoughts on your Q,
> Mike
>
> Mike Williams,
>
> RCDT,MIMPT(UK),
>
> Maxillofacial Prosthetist & Technologist
>
> Maxillofacial,Oral Surgery and Dental Department,
>
> Waikato Hospital,
>
> Pembroke Street,
>
> Private Bag 3200,
>
> Hamilton,
>
> New Zealand.
>
> Tel ++64 7 839 8805
>
> Fax ++64 7 839 8996
>
> --- On Sat, 12/9/09, Daril Atkins <darilatkin...@gmail.com> wrote:
> In NZ in the past training for max fac prosthetics was literally on the job, just like your colleague but another option is obviously to send them on to a number of well respected units for short periods of time to obtain a wider base of training, particularly if it was organised with a professional association such as the IMPT in the UK or the IAA in the States or Canada.
> There are ways to improve what you do that wont necessarily result in a higher qualification (though that would be desirable) but training should be of a high enough standard to meet the needs of the individual concerned and the patient population they serve.
> Though I agree that even for developing countries, having their own registration boards to set minimum required standards of training to gaurantee quality of work but more importantly, protection for the patient is paramount. But if practitioner numbers are small then it may be more practical to utilise an internationally recognised qualification standard as a minimum requirement rather than one developed in their own country.
> Just a few thoughts on your Q,
> Mike
>
> Mike Williams,
>
> RCDT,MIMPT(UK),
>
> Maxillofacial Prosthetist & Technologist
>
> Maxillofacial,Oral Surgery and Dental Department,
>
> Waikato Hospital,
>
> Pembroke Street,
>
> Private Bag 3200,
>
> Hamilton,
>
> New Zealand.
>
> Tel ++64 7 839 8805
>
> Fax ++64 7 839 8996
>
ocul...@gmail.com
Sep 12, 2009, 8:45:21 AM9/12/09
to anapla...@googlegroups.com
Dear Daril
your student can be here with us for 1 to 3 months at L V prasad eye institute
Regards
Kuldeep Raizada
India
Sent from BlackBerry® on Airtel
your student can be here with us for 1 to 3 months at L V prasad eye institute
Regards
Kuldeep Raizada
India
Sent from BlackBerry® on Airtel
michael williams
Sep 12, 2009, 11:58:49 PM9/12/09
to anapla...@googlegroups.com
| Hello Daril, As I reiterated before and you agreed with, sending your colleague to centres where well respected practitioners who produce work of the highest clinical standards operate will help her immensely. There are many methods of producing appliances and prostheses and we all pick up those techniques which complement or improve that which we allready do. Interesting that you remark that where you are the opportunity for facial pros rehab is virtually nil as surely the population in your area is quite large? To compare, NZ has 4 million people in a land mass the size of the UK and 5 main centres that provide facial pros services out of the main hospitals. Our hospital has a catchment area of around 950,000 people, travelling from as far away as 6 hours by car. I would have thought as a result you should have many patients that unfortunately develop cancers requiring your expertise? Or as previously alluded to in these webpages is cost a major factor in the non presentation of patients or is it more a case that patients are sent to other centres elsewhere because the wider expertise and support services are there? I know that the main hospital in Auckland sees a large number of patients annually that have come from the pacific islands because those services are just not available locally and it is easier for their governments to send patients to either NZ or Australia. Quite a number of our surgeons do voluntary service visits to the islands and treat as many patients there as they can but some patients are unable to be treated with the facillites available and the lack of support infrastructure so end up being on referred for tx later. Is this the same issue where you are? I know that alot often depends on the sheer force of will of people to get stuff done and drive the establishment of services where there are deficiencies but it often comes down to money or rather the lack of it. With regard to myself I mainly practice as a maxilofacial prosthetist/technologist with a similar workload to that of most maxfac units in the UK. Also as a regd clinical dental technologist I work in private practice also providing denture prosthetics and occasionally artificial eyes and some facial pros, usually referred to the private sector by the patients specialist via our Accident Compensation Corporation (because the public waitlists are so long usually). ACC is a govt dept that provides funding for universal health care for anyone injured via an accident with the goal of rehab to enable patients to return to work/normality as quickly as possible. The establishment of ACC also interestingly led to the removal of the right to sue for injury. As an organisation Its unique in the world I think. At the unit I work at we provide a facial prosthetic service which includes osseointegrated retained prostheses, A/eyes, Oncology/Rtx appliances, Scar management support to the Occupational therapy team, Orthognathic planning for osteotomies (wether traditional or via osseous distraction) and the use of CT derived Biomodels for surgical planning and stent fabrication for grafts, The provision of obturators and dentures for oncology or cleft palate patients (this includes the clinical as well as lab work), some somato prosthetics, eg fingers, nipple, toes, hand. Other removable dental appliances-TMJ splints, sleepapnoea appliances etc. We dont do any orthodontics or C&B work in the dept at all. I am priviliged to work at our unit as it operates as a maxillofacial unit first and foremost and dental services effectively come second. (No disrespect to any of the other hospitals or their surgeons, in NZ). For newly qualified dentistry graduates out of Otago University in Dunedin it is the preferred maxfac dept to apply to attend if you seriously want to become a maxfac surgeon.They get to see all the differing types of facial trauma as well as H&N oncological resections and pathology. In most other hospitals in NZ, Plastics tend to manage alot of the middle third facial trauma and H&N oncology. I would need permission to put patient images on here I would think but just this weekend a photoessay on a patient I recently provided a nasal prosthesis for was published by our local newspaper, The Waikato Times and there is a web link you can look at with a 2 minute slideshow showing the patients journey to completed prosthetic rehab. Ever the perfectionist (aren't we all?) Im not 100% happy with the end result, but the patient IS. I'm now working on a second prosthesis which I'm alot happier with. You can click on the following link: http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/multimedia/ Hope you like it. Further for ocularistry training I am sure you've allready contacted colleagues within the American Society of Ocularists for advice about possible work placement.Thats where I'd start for further training in that discipline. And In the UK (if I recall correctly) there is the artificial eye service through the Dept of Health and Social Security (DHSS), with major eye hospitals such as Moorefields in London and at Manchester again. Wherever your colleague attends it obviously needs to have the training tailored to her requirements. I used to have 1st and 2nd year dental technology students attend here at Waikato Hosp for 6 weeks as part of their end of year work experience. The work done had to be completed to a satisfactory standard to enable the student to advance to their next years study. They were not paid but they helped ease my workload abit and they all got wider exposure to maxillofacial technology and prosthetics, not just in the lab but clinically as well. But when teaching of dental technology moved from Wellington to Otago University, student placements were no longer required. If your colleague wishes to spend any time down here then I could approach our hospital management about it, and I'm sure the DT faculty staff at the dental school at Otago would be very happy for her to visit too. I'm always happy to help teach others what I know as I always get knowledge back in return, sometimes it changes what I do too! Let me know what you think, regards, |
Mike Mike Williams, RCDT,MIMPT(UK), Maxillofacial Prosthetist & Technologist Maxillofacial,Oral Surgery and Dental Department, Waikato Hospital, Pembroke Street, Private Bag 3200, Hamilton, New Zealand. Tel ++64 7 839 8805 Fax ++64 7 839 8996 |
| --- On Sun, 13/9/09, ocul...@gmail.com <ocul...@gmail.com> wrote: |
|
Daril Atkins
Sep 13, 2009, 11:28:00 AM9/13/09
to Anaplastology
Thank you Kuldeep. I will add your Institute to our list and begin an
official correspondence with L. V. Prasad Eye Institute and you. Is
there anyone in Hyderabad doing facial work? And is there a
possibility to get the exposure that a cancer hospital can offer?
Daril Atkins
> > > > world, that language would be- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -...
>
> read more »
official correspondence with L. V. Prasad Eye Institute and you. Is
there anyone in Hyderabad doing facial work? And is there a
possibility to get the exposure that a cancer hospital can offer?
Daril Atkins
>
> - Show quoted text -...
>
> read more »
Daril Atkins
Sep 13, 2009, 12:03:14 PM9/13/09
to Anaplastology
Thank you Michael for giving this topic due consideration.
The UAE is blessed with oil rich resources and that has helped them
develop this nation into one that could be the envy of the West. This
country has the best medical facilities available and does not lack
highly skilled and experience medical or para medical personnel.
The UAE is not spared from the scourge of cancer: since our registry
is not yet updated, here are some older stats:
breast cancer (9%), head and neck cancer (9%), lung cancer(7%), non-
Hodgkins lymphoma (6%), acute leukemia
(5%), cancer of the cervix (5%), stomach cancer (5%),Hodgkins lymphoma
(4%), cancers of the colon and rectum (4%), thyroid cancer (4%)
The head and neck cancer are (pharynx (40%), the thyroid (27%), the
mouth (19%),and the larynx (14%). (most of our pediatric cases some
as young as three months, are cases of retinoblastoma warranting
enucleation). I did mention that in 24 years I did see just one case
of exenteration. Aside from these examples, gross facial resections
are not seen, and so the opportunity to create maxillofacial
prostheses is nil. This has intrigued me too. But the net result is
that my colleagues lack this exposure, just as they lack the exposure
to retention methods which are routine to most of you.
I was impressed with the range of medical devices you make and also
checked the slide show of the nose you made. That is one happy sailor
who is smiling again. Very good.
We did contact a few members of the ASO but the response was poor but
my preference is Moorfields. Nigel Sapp and myself are talking about
this currently.
Let me begin an official correspondence with you on a brief internship
at your location. Thank you once again.
Daril Atkins
On Sep 13, 7:58 am, michael williams <wktomax...@yahoo.co.nz> wrote:
> Hello Daril,
> As I reiterated before and you agreed with, sending your colleague to centres where well respected practitioners who produce work of the highest clinical standards operate will help her immensely. There are many methods of producing appliances and prostheses and we all pick up those techniques which complement or improve that which we allready do.
> Interesting that you remark that where you are the opportunity for facial pros rehab is virtually nil as surely the population in your area is quite large? To compare, NZ has 4 million people in a land mass the size of the UK and 5 main centres that provide facial pros services out of the main hospitals. Our hospital has a catchment area of around 950,000 people, travelling from as far away as 6 hours by car.
> I would have thought as a result you should have many patients that unfortunately develop cancers requiring your expertise? Or as previously alluded to in these webpages is cost a major factor in the non presentation of patients or is it more a case that patients are sent to other centres elsewhere because the wider expertise and support services are there?
> I know that the main hospital in Auckland sees a large number of patients annually that have come from the pacific islands because those services are just not available locally and it is easier for their governments to send patients to either NZ or Australia.
> Quite a number of our surgeons do voluntary service visits to the islands and treat as many patients there as they can but some patients are unable to be treated with the facillites available and the lack of support infrastructure so end up being on referred for tx later.
> Is this the same issue where you are? I know that alot often depends on the sheer force of will of people to get stuff done and drive the establishment of services where there are deficiencies but it often comes down to money or rather the lack of it.
> With regard to myself I mainly practice as a maxilofacial prosthetist/technologist with a similar workload to that of most maxfac units in the UK. Also as a regd clinical dental technologist I work in private practice also providing denture prosthetics and occasionally artificial eyes and some facial pros, usually referred to the private sector by the patients specialist via our Accident Compensation Corporation (because the public waitlists are so long usually). ACC is a govt dept that provides funding for universal health care for anyone injured via an accident with the goal of rehab to enable patients to return to work/normality as quickly as possible. The establishment of ACC also interestingly led to the removal of the right to sue for injury. As an organisation Its unique in the world I think.
> At the unit I work at we provide a facial prosthetic service which includes osseointegrated retained prostheses, A/eyes, Oncology/Rtx appliances, Scar management support to the Occupational therapy team, Orthognathic planning for osteotomies (wether traditional or via osseous distraction) and the use of CT derived Biomodels for surgical planning and stent fabrication for grafts, The provision of obturators and dentures for oncology or cleft palate patients (this includes the clinical as well as lab work), some somato prosthetics, eg fingers, nipple, toes, hand. Other removable dental appliances-TMJ splints, sleepapnoea appliances etc. We dont do any orthodontics or C&B work in the dept at all.
> I am priviliged to work at our unit as it operates as a maxillofacial unit first and foremost and dental services effectively come second. (No disrespect to any of the other hospitals or their surgeons, in NZ). For newly qualified dentistry graduates out of Otago University in Dunedin it is the preferred maxfac dept to apply to attend if you seriously want to become a maxfac surgeon.They get to see all the differing types of facial trauma as well as H&N oncological resections and pathology. In most other hospitals in NZ, Plastics tend to manage alot of the middle third facial trauma and H&N oncology.
> I would need permission to put patient images on here I would think but just this weekend a photoessay on a patient I recently provided a nasal prosthesis for was published by our local newspaper, The Waikato Times and there is a web link you can look at with a 2 minute slideshow showing the patients journey to completed prosthetic rehab.
> Ever the perfectionist (aren't we all?) Im not 100% happy with the end result, but the patient IS. I'm now working on a second prosthesis which I'm alot happier with.
> You can click on the following link:http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/multimedia/
> Hope you like it.
> Further for ocularistry training I am sure you've allready contacted colleagues within the American Society of Ocularists for advice about possible work placement.Thats where I'd start for further training in that discipline. And In the UK (if I recall correctly) there is the artificial eye service through the Dept of Health and Social Security (DHSS), with major eye hospitals such as Moorefields in London and at Manchester again.
> Wherever your colleague attends it obviously needs to have the training tailored to her requirements.
> I used to have 1st and 2nd year dental technology students attend here at Waikato Hosp for 6 weeks as part of their end of year work experience. The work done had to be completed to a satisfactory standard to enable the student to advance to their next years study. They were not paid but they helped ease my workload abit and they all got wider exposure to maxillofacial technology and prosthetics, not just in the lab but clinically as well. But when teaching of dental technology moved from Wellington to Otago University, student placements were no longer required.
> If your colleague wishes to spend any time down here then I could approach our hospital management about it, and I'm sure the DT faculty staff at the dental school at Otago would be very happy for her to visit too. I'm always happy to help teach others what I know as I always get knowledge back in return, sometimes it changes what I do too!
> Let me know what you think,
> regards,
> Mike...
>
> read more »
> > Also the course I did at Manchester is now the Diploma in Professional studies at the- Hide quoted text -
The UAE is blessed with oil rich resources and that has helped them
develop this nation into one that could be the envy of the West. This
country has the best medical facilities available and does not lack
highly skilled and experience medical or para medical personnel.
The UAE is not spared from the scourge of cancer: since our registry
is not yet updated, here are some older stats:
breast cancer (9%), head and neck cancer (9%), lung cancer(7%), non-
Hodgkins lymphoma (6%), acute leukemia
(5%), cancer of the cervix (5%), stomach cancer (5%),Hodgkins lymphoma
(4%), cancers of the colon and rectum (4%), thyroid cancer (4%)
The head and neck cancer are (pharynx (40%), the thyroid (27%), the
mouth (19%),and the larynx (14%). (most of our pediatric cases some
as young as three months, are cases of retinoblastoma warranting
enucleation). I did mention that in 24 years I did see just one case
of exenteration. Aside from these examples, gross facial resections
are not seen, and so the opportunity to create maxillofacial
prostheses is nil. This has intrigued me too. But the net result is
that my colleagues lack this exposure, just as they lack the exposure
to retention methods which are routine to most of you.
I was impressed with the range of medical devices you make and also
checked the slide show of the nose you made. That is one happy sailor
who is smiling again. Very good.
We did contact a few members of the ASO but the response was poor but
my preference is Moorfields. Nigel Sapp and myself are talking about
this currently.
Let me begin an official correspondence with you on a brief internship
at your location. Thank you once again.
Daril Atkins
On Sep 13, 7:58 am, michael williams <wktomax...@yahoo.co.nz> wrote:
> Hello Daril,
> As I reiterated before and you agreed with, sending your colleague to centres where well respected practitioners who produce work of the highest clinical standards operate will help her immensely. There are many methods of producing appliances and prostheses and we all pick up those techniques which complement or improve that which we allready do.
> Interesting that you remark that where you are the opportunity for facial pros rehab is virtually nil as surely the population in your area is quite large? To compare, NZ has 4 million people in a land mass the size of the UK and 5 main centres that provide facial pros services out of the main hospitals. Our hospital has a catchment area of around 950,000 people, travelling from as far away as 6 hours by car.
> I would have thought as a result you should have many patients that unfortunately develop cancers requiring your expertise? Or as previously alluded to in these webpages is cost a major factor in the non presentation of patients or is it more a case that patients are sent to other centres elsewhere because the wider expertise and support services are there?
> I know that the main hospital in Auckland sees a large number of patients annually that have come from the pacific islands because those services are just not available locally and it is easier for their governments to send patients to either NZ or Australia.
> Quite a number of our surgeons do voluntary service visits to the islands and treat as many patients there as they can but some patients are unable to be treated with the facillites available and the lack of support infrastructure so end up being on referred for tx later.
> Is this the same issue where you are? I know that alot often depends on the sheer force of will of people to get stuff done and drive the establishment of services where there are deficiencies but it often comes down to money or rather the lack of it.
> With regard to myself I mainly practice as a maxilofacial prosthetist/technologist with a similar workload to that of most maxfac units in the UK. Also as a regd clinical dental technologist I work in private practice also providing denture prosthetics and occasionally artificial eyes and some facial pros, usually referred to the private sector by the patients specialist via our Accident Compensation Corporation (because the public waitlists are so long usually). ACC is a govt dept that provides funding for universal health care for anyone injured via an accident with the goal of rehab to enable patients to return to work/normality as quickly as possible. The establishment of ACC also interestingly led to the removal of the right to sue for injury. As an organisation Its unique in the world I think.
> At the unit I work at we provide a facial prosthetic service which includes osseointegrated retained prostheses, A/eyes, Oncology/Rtx appliances, Scar management support to the Occupational therapy team, Orthognathic planning for osteotomies (wether traditional or via osseous distraction) and the use of CT derived Biomodels for surgical planning and stent fabrication for grafts, The provision of obturators and dentures for oncology or cleft palate patients (this includes the clinical as well as lab work), some somato prosthetics, eg fingers, nipple, toes, hand. Other removable dental appliances-TMJ splints, sleepapnoea appliances etc. We dont do any orthodontics or C&B work in the dept at all.
> I am priviliged to work at our unit as it operates as a maxillofacial unit first and foremost and dental services effectively come second. (No disrespect to any of the other hospitals or their surgeons, in NZ). For newly qualified dentistry graduates out of Otago University in Dunedin it is the preferred maxfac dept to apply to attend if you seriously want to become a maxfac surgeon.They get to see all the differing types of facial trauma as well as H&N oncological resections and pathology. In most other hospitals in NZ, Plastics tend to manage alot of the middle third facial trauma and H&N oncology.
> I would need permission to put patient images on here I would think but just this weekend a photoessay on a patient I recently provided a nasal prosthesis for was published by our local newspaper, The Waikato Times and there is a web link you can look at with a 2 minute slideshow showing the patients journey to completed prosthetic rehab.
> Ever the perfectionist (aren't we all?) Im not 100% happy with the end result, but the patient IS. I'm now working on a second prosthesis which I'm alot happier with.
> You can click on the following link:http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/multimedia/
> Hope you like it.
> Further for ocularistry training I am sure you've allready contacted colleagues within the American Society of Ocularists for advice about possible work placement.Thats where I'd start for further training in that discipline. And In the UK (if I recall correctly) there is the artificial eye service through the Dept of Health and Social Security (DHSS), with major eye hospitals such as Moorefields in London and at Manchester again.
> Wherever your colleague attends it obviously needs to have the training tailored to her requirements.
> I used to have 1st and 2nd year dental technology students attend here at Waikato Hosp for 6 weeks as part of their end of year work experience. The work done had to be completed to a satisfactory standard to enable the student to advance to their next years study. They were not paid but they helped ease my workload abit and they all got wider exposure to maxillofacial technology and prosthetics, not just in the lab but clinically as well. But when teaching of dental technology moved from Wellington to Otago University, student placements were no longer required.
> If your colleague wishes to spend any time down here then I could approach our hospital management about it, and I'm sure the DT faculty staff at the dental school at Otago would be very happy for her to visit too. I'm always happy to help teach others what I know as I always get knowledge back in return, sometimes it changes what I do too!
> Let me know what you think,
> regards,
>
> read more »
>
>
>
>
> Mike Williams,
>
> RCDT,MIMPT(UK),
>
> Maxillofacial Prosthetist & Technologist
>
> Maxillofacial,Oral Surgery and Dental Department,
>
> Waikato Hospital,
>
> Pembroke Street,
>
> Private Bag 3200,
>
> Hamilton,
>
> New Zealand.
>
> Tel ++64 7 839 8805
>
> Fax ++64 7 839 8996
>
> --- On Sun, 13/9/09, ocular...@gmail.com <ocular...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> Mike Williams,
>
> RCDT,MIMPT(UK),
>
> Maxillofacial Prosthetist & Technologist
>
> Maxillofacial,Oral Surgery and Dental Department,
>
> Waikato Hospital,
>
> Pembroke Street,
>
> Private Bag 3200,
>
> Hamilton,
>
> New Zealand.
>
> Tel ++64 7 839 8805
>
> Fax ++64 7 839 8996
>
michael williams
Sep 13, 2009, 8:56:44 PM9/13/09
to anapla...@googlegroups.com
| Thank you Daril for your kind words. And thank you for informing me of the situation of health care delivery in the UAE. I know your colleague will learn alot at Moorfields, they have an enviable reputation for their work. Quite a number of the NZ Oculoplastic surgical colleagues often do rotations through there post fellowship and cannot speak highly enough of the quality of training delivered there throughout the whole organisation. Personally I didn't manage to get there when in the UK but I did spend a week with Colin Haylock who was at West Middlesex hospital at the time, just awesome, an absolute gentleman and a fantastic prosthetist and ocularist. My ocularistry techniques improved immensely thanks to Colin. If its ok, I will contact you directly at your personal email address re: organising a visit officially to Waikato Hospital for your colleague. Thanks again, regards, Mike |
Mike Williams, RCDT,MIMPT(UK), Maxillofacial Prosthetist & Technologist Maxillofacial,Oral Surgery and Dental Department, Waikato Hospital, Pembroke Street, Private Bag 3200, Hamilton, New Zealand. Tel ++64 7 839 8805 Fax ++64 7 839 8996 |
| --- On Mon, 14/9/09, Daril Atkins <darila...@gmail.com> wrote: |
|
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