We are pleased to advise that deep linking capability, enabling users to directly download individual mobile toolkits, has now been released on the RDS mobile app. When you install the update, you will see that each toolkit has a small QR code icon the header area beside the search icon – see screenshot below. Clicking on this icon will open up a window with a full-size QR code and the alternative of a short URL for sharing with users. Instructions are provided.
You may need to actively install the update to install RDS app version 4.7.1 to see this improvement. Installing this update is also strongly recommended to get the full benefits of the new contingency arrangements – specifically, that if the RDS website should fail, you will still be able to download new mobile app toolkits.
To check your current RDS version, click on the three dots bottom right of the RDS app screen. This takes you to a “More” page where you will see the version number. To install latest updates:
On iPhones – go to the Apple store, click on your profile icon top right, scroll down to see the apps waiting to be updated and update the RDS app.
On Android phones – these can vary, but try going to the Google Play store, click on your profile icon top right, click on “Manage apps and device”, select and update the RDS app.
Please get in touch with ann.wales3@nhs.scot with any questions.
This resource has been created to direct Orthotists and other health care professionals to the evidence that supports Orthotic practice.
The Orthotics Evidence Portal is structured into sections, including Musculoskeletal care and Diabetes care. Within each section users will find a list of references relating to the orthotic management of a specific condition or body part. Links are provided beside each reference from which users can access the full text articles.
The aim of the Portal is to assist Orthotists to use evidence-based practice when treating patients, by providing easy access to the evidence relevant to their decision making.
The Evidence sections are structured in accordance with the "hierarchy of evidence". This is a system used to rank the strength and reliability of research findings, helping clinicians to determine which types of studies provide the most trustworthy evidence for making clinical decisions. Using this hierarchy means that the most reliable types of evidence are displaced first. In the Portal the evidence hierarchy is structed as follows:
In January 2025 the Orthotics Evidence Portal (previously known as the Directory of Evidence Based Orthotics Practice) was re-launched on the Right Decision Service.
The evidence contained in the Portal is reviewed on a monthly basis with support from the Orthotics Education and Training Trust and the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO).
Maintenance of the portal is overseen by the BAPO Professional Affairs Committee.
The Orthotics evidence portal (previously known as the Directory of Evidence Based Orthotics Practice) project began in October 2014 when a successful bid was made to the Scottish Government as part of the Orthopaedic Quality Drive. The bid was to support Orthotists to engage with the MSK Improvement Agenda. The aim was to identify the evidence relating to orthotic treatment of MSK conditions.
This funding allowed a small group of individuals to identify the evidence base relating to Musculoskeletal conditions over a three month period, from which the first version of the portal was created. This initial work was supported by the following Institutions and Organisations:
In 2017, the portal was fully re-built and expanded to include the sections that you see today.
The Orthotics Evidence Portal welcomes contributions from anyone interested in the field of Orthotic interventions. If you have read an article that you believe should be included in The Orthotics Evidence Portal, let us know!
Does the article meet the inclusion criteria for The Orthotics Evidence Portal?
In order to be considered for inclusion in The Orthotics Evidence Portal, the article needs to meet all of the below inclusion criteria:
Check if the article is already listed in The Orthotics Evidence Portal.
If the article meets the inclusion criteria and is not currently listed then please email: evidence@BAPO.com using the following format.
Subject: Article(s) reviewed for The Orthotics Evidence Portal
In the body of the email you should number the articles if there is more than one, and include the following information for each:
Type of study: i.e. Metaanalysis, Interventional study, Observational study etc. You do not need to send a formal appraisal of the article.
Pathway: Which pathway does the evidence belong to, i.e. MSK or Diabetes
Node: Which treatment does the evidence relate to, i.e. insoles, footwear, AFO etc.
Reference: Harvard style is preferable
Link: A link to the article, preferably a link to the article on PubMed. This does not need to be a full text link.
If you have an interest in developing a section in any of the following areas please contact evidence@bapo.com or visit our X (twitter) page at @OrthoticsOEP
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Copyright © NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde 2024. (This excludes the works of 3rd parties as listed below).
All icons are from Flaticon.com, accessed through the licence held Tactuum Ltd for the resources supported by the software platform it provides.
NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde (GGC) hopes that the information in this toolkit will be useful to its healthcare professionals, but it accepts no responsibility and offers no warranties for the content or your use of it, as far as the law allows us to exclude such liability. The content of this toolkit has been developed for use within NHS GGC and it may not be applicable to other healthcare areas or practices.
Clinical knowledge is constantly changing. As new information become available, changes in treatment, procedures, equipment and the use of drugs become necessary. The developers and contributors have taken care to ensure that the information given is correct and current. However, users of this resource are strongly advised to confirm that the information complies with the latest legislation and standards of practice.
All use of this resource is subject to Scots law and the jurisdiction of the Scottish courts and is subject to this disclaimer. Any views given on the site are not necessarily those of NHS GGC or anyone connected with us.
NHS GGC is not responsible for the content of external websites which link to or are linked to by this toolkit. Some external links may be to websites that also offer commercial services. If a link to a particular website is included on our site, it does not mean that NHS GGC officially endorses that website, its owners, products or services.
The Orthotics Evidence Portal