PHYSIOFUTURIST DOMAIN
3D Printing
3D printing can create individualized orthoses, prosthetic components, splints, and rehabilitation tools from digital scans and designs. The opportunity is faster iteration and better fit, not printing for its own sake. Safe use requires material and device controls, documented design changes, fit testing, follow-up, and a clear regulatory pathway.
Questions for practice
- Which problem would this address, and what outcomes matter to the person receiving care?
- What evidence supports this application, population, and setting?
- What skills, safeguards, resources, and accountability would its use require?
- What would justify continuing, changing, or stopping its use?
This is an introductory overview of a domain in the PhysioFuturist model. Specific products and clinical uses need their own evidence assessment.
Read the Perspective for the reasoning behind these questions or explore the autonomy-accountability continuum.