Members of the Northwest Biomechanics Group for clinical effectiveness have launched the Interactive Biomechanics web book – an online biomechanics reference tool designed to assist podiatrists in diagnosing patients presenting with biomechanical conditions.

The web book was presented to an audience of 40 managers and biomechanics leads from all the trusts in the North West on the 3rd of December.

The North West Biomechanics Clinical Effectiveness Group is one of a number of Clinical Effectiveness Groups (CEG) set up by the North West Podiatry Heads of Service Group, to look at best practice in the fi eld of podiatry and develop evidence based guidelines for podiatry practice. Initially the group had developed a two day training package on basic biomechanics which was cascaded to all podiatrists in the North West along with a proposed “gold standard” service provision and sample advice booklets for patients attending for biomechanics treatment.

Following the provision of the training package many options were discussed for follow on work. The group started work on producing a condition pathway to help podiatrists in general clinics when seeing patients with biomechanical complaints. Thus the web book was developed as a medium through which many podiatrists in general clinics could be reached, either through intranet sites or the internet.

The launch provided an excellent networking opportunity for those clinicians that are not able to attend the group regularly and for the managers.

I, as the chairman of the group introduced and provided an overview of what the group had been involved in, including the origins of the web book. Peter Carroll, Sales Director from Algeos outlined the involvement and work entailed in producing the CD Rom/website to support the group.

Steve Jennings of Cheshire East Community Health, then took delegates through a case history and of how, by utilising the Interactive Biomechanics site, a general podiatrist would be able to diagnose simple biomechanical conditions. Then delegates had the opportunity to use the interactive tool and experience its usefulness, before a review session completed the morning.

The afternoon was set aside for CPD for the podiatrists and was organised by Algeos. The session involved a basic ski biomechanics lecture from a ski coach and then a talk from Kathryn Royston- Airey, Bodyfactor Clinics Covent Garden, on the clinical implications of skiing and ski injuries. These presentations were excellent and very well received by the audience. For those whom wished to partake, we then met up on the white stuff for some skiing to test the new understanding we had gained.

For further information and to view the web book please visit: www.interactivebiomechanics.com

It is intended that Interactive Biomechanics web book will be showcased at the Podiatry Managers National CPD Training Event at the Moat House Hotel, Stoke on Trent on the 4th & 5th of March, 2009.