What a delight and a pleasantly unique experience we had last week at the Canadian Association of Orthotists and Prosthetists (CAPO)three day conference in Ottawa compared to the sometimes and frequently divided membership philosophies at O&P events in the USA.
The CAPO Biannual conference is the largest national O&P event held in Canada.
A very impressive agenda of speakers included Dr.Jan Ertl,Raymond Francis LP,Robert Gailey PhD,PT,Eva Haggstrom CPO and others was presented.
I concluded from our participation that the CAPO membership and profession (less than 360 providers compared to the USA 3500)is very well organized and united, as well as being very cordial and informative.
They support and advocate for regulation of O&P and all providers must have mandatory certification to receive reimbursement from the govt. for their services.
Is the US third world in compliance to provider qualification criteria?
Certainly with a 30-50% factor being recognized by medical experts to the surgical aspect alone in obtaining 100%successful prosthetic rehabilitation, CAPO can relay the importance of the surgical component to thier health care system?
Bob Gailey PhD PT,well respected in the rehabilitation of amputees, recently wieghed the surgical, proper application and selection of prosthetic componentary,and physical therapy/gait training and exercise, as all equal in obtaining 100% complete and successful prosthetic rehabilitation.
A team effort to educate third party payers from all three fronts is needed.
There was indeed sincere interest by all in learning more about the Barr Foundation and the Ertl Procedure.
Perhaps the unity of their profession may become even more successful in mandating the importance and consideration of the Ertl procedure for select patients in Canada, under a public health care system, than we have had thus far in the USA.
How does one submit a particular surgical procedure to the Canadian health care system for consideration of adoption ?
Could War Amps of Canada carry the message on behalf of amputees in Canada ?
Perhaps prosthetic manufactures can join our efforts in the future to promote the Ertl as a viable amputation procedure worthy consideration?
Manufactures, College Park Industries,OSSUR and Otto Bock HealthCare, whom although featuring Ertl super amputees in their full page advertisments, don’t reference that they are also recipients of the Ertl Osteomyoplastic amputation and reconstruction surgical procedure!
A very well organized event.
Thank You Craig Smith ,Kathy Kostycz and CAPO members,for our invitation, complimentary registration and participation.
Anthony T. Barr
Barr Foundation
www.oandp.com/barr
www.ertlreconstruction.com
561-394-6514
