If you wish to study the specialization of Prosthetics in Turkey, you must first acquaint yourself with essential information before enrolling. Prosthetics is one of the intelligent specializations in the field of medicine that has gained significant popularity in recent times, whether you intend to pursue it at a local or international university. You can gain in-depth knowledge of this specialization in the following article.

What is Prosthetics?

With the advancement of medicine, numerous specialties have emerged to benefit patients and optimize their recovery. One of the groundbreaking specialties in the field of medicine is Prosthetics and Orthotics, known as Orthotics and Prosthetics, which contributes significantly to compensating for the loss of human limbs resulting from accidents or serious illnesses, which were once significant obstacles to medicine.

Prosthetics and Orthotics specialization focuses on studying how to design and create Prosthetics to aid in the treatment of individuals who have lost limbs. However, it also involves the study of spinal alignment, treatment of major injuries, manufacturing braces, designing medical footwear, and other devices and tools used during patient treatment.

This specialization is considered one of the most flourishing in Turkey due to the development of academic programs, particularly in medical specialties. In the following paragraphs, we will provide you with all the details about studying Prosthetics within Turkish universities.

What Courses Do Students of Prosthetics and Orthotics Study?

The courses for students specializing in Prosthetics are divided into two categories: general courses that all university students take regardless of their specialization and compulsory courses specific to Industrial Prosthetics.

General Courses:

– Communication Skills.
– National Education.
– Administrative Skills.
– Health Courses.
– First Aid.
– Human Rights.
– Sociology.
– Psychology.
– And other courses in various fields.

Compulsory Courses within the Specialization:

Regarding the compulsory courses for students of Industrial Prosthetics and Orthotics within the specialization, they include:

– General Biology.
– General Physics.
– Pathology.
– Material Science.
– Orthopaedics.
– Physiology.
– Electro Technology.
– Biomechanics.
– Calculus.
– Anatomy of Extremities.
– Anatomy of Head, Neck, and Thorax.
– Rehabilitation Principles and Ethics.
– Psychology of Rehabilitation.
– Bio-Statistics for Rehabilitation Students.
– Research Methods in Rehabilitation Sciences.
– Management and Leadership.
– Tests and Measures.
– Computer Skills for Medical Colleges.
– Orthotics and Prosthetics Techniques.
– Safety & Accidents Prevention in Workshops.
– Basic Skills of Casting (Lower Extremity).
– Diagnostics for Orthotics and Prosthetics Students.
– Lower Extremity Prosthetics I.
– Lower Extremity Orthotics I.
– Lower Extremity Prosthetics II.
– Lower Extremity Prosthetics III.
– Upper Extremity Prosthetics I.
– Upper Extremity Orthotics.
– Upper Extremity Prosthetics II.
– Applied in Prosthetics.
– Applied in Orthotics.
– Computer Applications in Orthotics and Prosthetics.
– Mechanics and Movement Science for Orthotics and Prosthetics Students.
– Spinal Orthotics.
– Engineering Graphics Prerequisite.
– Gait Analysis.

What Are the Career Opportunities for Graduates of Prosthetics and Orthotics?

Naturally, the first question that comes to mind after considering a particular academic specialization is, ‘What are the career opportunities available to me in the job market?’ Well, let us first inform you that Industrial Prosthetics falls under the category of humanitarian specializations that aim to improve people’s lives. Therefore, it offers multiple job opportunities, which we have outlined for you below.

1. Working in specialized centers for manufacturing artificial limbs and compensatory devices.
2. Employment in hospitals and medical rehabilitation centers.
3. Pursuing a career in research and scientific development centers dedicated to advancing the field of industrial prosthetics.
4. Employment in universities, medical rehabilitation institutes, and prosthetics and other device manufacturing institutions.
5. Providing personalized patient care during the treatment and post-treatment phases, overseeing and evaluating patients’ health progress.
6. If you’re not interested in the medical field, you can work in marketing and sales roles specializing in artificial limbs and compensatory devices.
7. Working in quality control within the prosthetics and compensatory devices field.

What Are the Salaries of Prosthetics Graduates in Turkey?

If you’ve decided to study Prosthetics in Turkey, let us give you an overview of the salaries of professionals in this field. Graduates in Prosthetics typically start with a salary of at least $34,000, while experienced prosthetic technicians or senior practitioners in mid-career can earn up to $62,000. 

The demand for the specialization can vary depending on the job market, whether it’s in demand or saturated. It’s known that medical branches complement each other, and Prosthetics, for example, complements fields like physical therapy by playing a significant role in maintaining patient health and preparing them to accept prosthetic limbs or external body parts.

What Are the Academic Qualifications Required to Study Prosthetics in Turkey?

If you intend to study Prosthetics, you must possess certain qualifications to enroll. Since it’s a medical field, you should have graduated from a scientific track in high school, such as the scientific, health, or nursing track. You should also have achieved a good GPA in high school.

Is the Prosthetics major Suitable for Me?

In addition to the academic qualifications required to pursue a degree in Prosthetics and Orthotics at Turkish universities, you should know that there are essential life skills you need to possess if you are considering studying this specialization. These skills can be divided into personal and practical skills that you must adhere to during your studies and work:

Personal Skills for an Prosthetics Specialist:

– You must be courageous and have the boldness to deal with various medical cases.
– You should have time management skills.
– You need to have a very good level of English language proficiency, as this specialization includes many medical terms in English.
– You should demonstrate flexibility and adaptability to different work conditions and be prepared for challenging situations.
– You must be able to communicate effectively with others and work well in a team.
– You should have the ability to make tough decisions and be realistic.
– Problem-solving skills are crucial.
– Leadership and a sense of responsibility are necessary.
– Computer skills and the ability to work with computer programs are essential.

Practical Skills for an Prosthetics Specialist:

– You should be knowledgeable about all the devices, machines, and technologies used in the field of Prosthetics and Orthotics.
– You should be able to work long hours under pressure and have the necessary flexibility.
– You should be willing to work on holidays and late nights.
– You should have the ability to educate, train, and guide patients on how to use artificial limbs.
– Continuous monitoring and observation of patients’ health conditions is required.
– You should also be able to perform administrative tasks.

How many years does it take to study Prosthetics?

In the medical field, it is common for studies to take longer than in other disciplines due to the practical and applied nature of the training. However, studying Prosthetics in Turkey typically takes a minimum of 4 years, which may increase due to the extensive practical and clinical training involved.

What is the language of instruction for Prosthetics studies in Turkish universities?

The primary language of instruction is Turkish. If a student does not have a language certificate in English or Turkish, they may need an additional preparatory year for language studies.

What are the best universities in Turkey for studying Prosthetics?

There are several Turkish universities that are considered among the best for studying Prosthetics and Orthotics in Turkey. Some of them include:

– Nisantasi University (Private)
– Gelişim University (Private)
– Eskisehir University (Private)

This covers everything you need to know about studying Prosthetics at Turkish universities. We wish you a successful academic journey, and please feel free to reach out to us at ‘Ask Me Anything’ for further details on the application requirements for the Prosthetics specialization.