Name Dr. Huthaifa Atallah
Role Assistant Professor in Prosthetics and Orthotics & Assistant Dean for Clinical Training and Partnerships
Institution The University of Jordan
Country Jordan
Years in O&P More than 10 years in O&P and rehabilitation education
Clinical-teaching focus Prosthetics, orthotics, rehabilitation technologies, clinical education, and digital manufacturing
Main area of interest 3D-printed prosthetics, AI applications in rehabilitation, gait analysis, and strengthening O&P education in the region
What first drew you into prosthetics, orthotics, or rehabilitation?
What attracted me most was the direct impact on people’s lives. Prosthetics and orthotics combine engineering, medicine, rehabilitation, and human connection in a unique way. Seeing how mobility and independence can be restored through proper rehabilitation was very motivating for me.
What does your current role involve day to day?
My role includes teaching undergraduate students, supervising clinical training, supporting partnerships with hospitals and rehabilitation centers, conducting research, and leading international projects such as the Erasmus+ NextStep project focused on advancing digital prosthetics education and services.
How would you describe the mission of your department or programme?
Our mission is to prepare highly skilled, ethical, and innovative prosthetists and orthotists who can meet the growing rehabilitation needs in Jordan and the region while contributing to research, innovation, and community impact.
What has been the most important lesson you have learned as a department head or educator?
One of the most important lessons is that education is not only about transferring knowledge. It is about building confidence, critical thinking, and professional responsibility in students.
What mistakes or false assumptions taught you the most early in your leadership journey?
Early on, I believed that technical knowledge alone was enough to lead successfully. Over time, I learned that communication, teamwork, patience, and listening are equally important.
What advice would you give to younger clinicians who want to move into teaching or departmental leadership?
Stay clinically active, continue learning, and never underestimate the value of mentorship and communication skills. Leadership is built gradually through consistency and collaboration.
What are the biggest gaps you see in current O&P education or clinical training?
One major gap is the limited integration of digital technologies such as CAD/CAM, 3D printing, AI, and data-driven clinical decision-making into daily training. Another challenge is ensuring enough hands-on clinical exposure.
How do you help students or junior staff move from theory to confident clinical decision-making?
We focus on supervised clinical practice, case discussions, problem-solving, and encouraging students to reflect critically on patient outcomes rather than memorizing procedures.
What skills do you believe are still under-taught in today’s training environment?
Communication with patients, interdisciplinary teamwork, research literacy, and digital workflow skills are still under-emphasized in many programs.
What do you see as the biggest challenge facing O&P departments over the next five years?
Keeping pace with rapid technological changes while maintaining high-quality clinical education and affordable patient care will be one of the biggest challenges.
How should educators prepare students for a future shaped by digital workflows, AI, and advanced manufacturing?
Students should learn both traditional clinical principles and modern technologies. Future clinicians must understand digital design, AI-assisted analysis, and advanced manufacturing while maintaining patient-centered care.
What changes are needed to build stronger rehabilitation services in your country or region?
We need stronger collaboration between universities, healthcare providers, governments, and industry, alongside better investment in rehabilitation services, workforce development, and research.
Personal perspective
What part of your work gives you the greatest satisfaction?
Seeing students grow into confident professionals and knowing that our work ultimately improves patients’ quality of life gives me the greatest satisfaction.
What keeps you optimistic about the future of the profession?
The rapid advancement in technology, growing awareness of rehabilitation importance, and the passion of younger professionals entering the field keep me optimistic.
What is one change you would most like to see in the IMEA O&P sector?
I would like to see stronger regional collaboration in education, research, and clinical standards to improve access and quality of rehabilitation services across the region.
Best advice ever received
“Focus on long-term impact, not short-term recognition.”
One book or resource for young clinicians
The Atlas of Amputations and Limb Deficiencies.
One skill every future CPO should master
Clinical problem-solving combined with effective communication.
Biggest current frustration in the sector
Limited resources and unequal access to high-quality rehabilitation services in many countries.
One reason to stay hopeful
Technology and international collaboration are creating opportunities that were unimaginable a decade ago.