…Another Auld Lang Syne

I borrowed the title of my column from a line in a Dan Fogelberg song in which the characters reflect on the past while contemplating the present and future, in the spirit of the widespread use of the song "Auld Lang Syne" to mark endings and new beginnings. In this last column of 2014, I pause to reflect on the year and consider what's to come.

Once again, numerous challenges shadowed the O&P landscape with such things as lowered reimbursements, dual coding for off-the-shelf and custom orthoses, and ill-defined Medicare terminology, while also bringing what may be some hopeful signs in the form of Congress' increased awareness of the problems with the current Recovery Audit Contractor system and its negative impact on patient care across a variety of healthcare settings.

As the year draws to a close, my thoughts are also drawn to O&P professionals and individuals near and dear to the O&P community who've passed on throughout the year. While I do not intend to minimize the loss of any person by elevating another, there are some in the public eye who seem to touch our collective conscience. This year, such a person's passing stands out for me, Robin Williams. I was first introduced to Williams when I was a kid watching Mork & Mindy, a television show the family could watch together. Throughout the years, I've enjoyed his comedy routines; his dramatic roles touched with humor, such as Good Morning, Vietnam; and later when I introduced my daughter to Aladdin, in which Williams provides the voice of the Genie. For countless others in the O&P family, as many blog posts attest, Williams was much more than an actor and a comedian: Through his volunteerism and support of the Challenged Athletes Foundation he was a friend and a fellow athlete, and it was his personal connection that touched people so deeply.

Finally, in addressing this issue's theme, optimizing upper-limb treatment, we have a number of stories that let us reflect on the knowledge we've gained and the potential we have for future advancements. For example, " Are We Giving Kids a Hand? Wrist and Hand Splints in the Management of Cerebral Palsy " reveals how far research has come in a few short years in determining appropriate protocols in pediatric wrist and hand bracing, and " There's a New Touch in Prosthetics: Have You Considered Silicone Lately? " explores the potential for HCR silicone use in upper-limb prosthetics fabrication. Our last feature, " Pattern Recognition ," and upper-limb research in the Industry Review section (see flip-book version for these pages), also offer insights on advancements in upper-limb treatment optimization.

I want to thank you all for reading and wish you a safe, happy holiday season and a joyous new year. Join us in 2015 for more cutting-edge information for the O&P profession.

…Another Auld Lang Syne

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In Memoriam: William Meanwell

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…Another Auld Lang Syne

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Related posts:

Pattern Recognition

Amar Patel: Figuring It Out and Moving On

In Memoriam: William Meanwell

O&P JOBS

We’re Currently Seeking Certified Prosthetist/Orthotists (CPOs) for Opportunities Throughout Several States

Certified Prosthetist Orthotist or Board Eligible Prosthetist Orthotist

Certified Prosthetist / Prosthetist-Orthotist (CP/CPO) Gates Prosthetics + Mobility Clinic — Mountain Home, AR

Get unlimited access!

EDGE DIRECT

Welcome Back!

Retrieve your password

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