Abstract
Digitalisation is the megatrend in healthcare, not only since the pandemic. We are two European digital health experts and industry leaders in the field of orthotics and prosthetics (O&P) and in this article we explored what are the underlying trends driving the adoption of digitalisation for customisation of prosthetics & orthotics. We showed that several trends in 3D image capture (input step), 3D modelling (processing step) and 3D printing (output step) currently converge and thus fuel the rapid transformation of the O&P industry. In short outlooks, we rated the probability and timing of adoption rates across the upcoming couple of years. We furthermore reviewed the impact of boundary conditions set by regulators as well as the reimbursement system. Towards the end of this article, we outlined a digital scenario of the near future by following around an orthotist during her work. We finished with a call-to-action targeting regulators, payors, prosthetists/orthotists, and patients to enable such a desirable future.
Highlights
We are two European digital health experts and industry leaders in the field of orthotics and prosthetics (O&P) and in this article we explored what are the underlying trends driving the adoption of digitalisation for customisation of prosthetics & orthotics
We showed that several trends in 3D image capture, 3D modelling and 3D printing currently converge and fuel the rapid transformation of the O&P industry
The likelihood of future scenarios is strongly influenced by boundary conditions that are unlikely to change as rapidly as the fundamental needs of the end users, the regulatory framework and reimbursement
Summary
It is designed and manufactured under the responsibility of a manufacturer, even if the design was developed in consultation with an authorised healthcare professional. Since the year 2000, out-of-pocket payments have been constantly in decline in the US and Canada.[28] Another long-term benefit for both regulators and payors is the perfect measurability of digital processes. Payors use their foresight to pay extra for custom made devices that were additively manufactured to drastically reduce adoption time and reap the benefits much faster. One example of this was the increase in reimbursement rates for O&P devices reinforced with carbon fibre for increased durability as the decisive factor for the sudden widespread adoption across all providers
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