Status of Consultation and Local Collaboration Regarding Ankle-Foot Orthosis in the Life Period: A Cross-sectional Study of Care Managers

Abstract

[Purpose] To investigate and clarify the status of responses and multi-occupational collaboration concerning Ankle-Foot Orthosis (AFO). [Participants and Methods] A self-report questionnaire survey of basic attributes, difficulties with AFO support, and collaboration demands was sent to 61 Care Managers (CM), and 50 surveys were returned and analyzed. [Results] CMs had difficulties with the AFO checking method and the follow-up system in general, and there were many requests for knowledge concerning the basic system, procedures, and consultation services. [Conclusion] It became clear that physical therapists were actively involved in AFO responses, and the necessity of practicing multi-occupational collaboration involving CMs also became clear.