I grew up in a rural area where there were only a handful of physicians and a small district hospital in a nearby town. Throughout my childhood and early adolescence, the doctor I saw was the same one who delivered my birth—which meant he had a built-in window into the family and social systems around me. He’d known my family since before I was born, including my grandparents and uncles, and knew who all my schoolmates were since not only were they likely also his patients, but he’d see me with them at school concerts, ball games, and parades. Dr. Good didn’t have to put intentional effort into gathering the information he needed to offer holistic care; it was built into the circumstances of the practice. But for most modern practitioners this is not the case. In this issue, we look at some of the ways O&P clinicians are actively working to provide holistic care to their patients.
One key element of ensuring that all aspects of patients’ amputation journeys are addressed is creating a team approach in which all healthcare providers communicate and coordinate treatment. “Bring in the Team: Specialized Multidisciplinary Caregivers Share Their Playbook” discusses how this method has been applied to upper-limb amputation and rehabilitation, and osseointegration surgery and prosthetic care. Experts share how surgeons’ involvement with the team helps them tailor surgical procedures for better prosthetic outcomes and how ongoing communication throughout the process with therapists, prosthetists, mental health providers, and surgeons benefits patients.
It’s common when we talk about pediatric care to talk about needing to consider the parents and other caregivers in developing the care plan, in addition to the child. Using a holistic model, it’s also important when caring for adults to consider families, peer groups, and social structures. “The O&P Patient’s Orbit: Applying Contextual Knowledge and Systems-based Care” explores how this approach informs clinicians’ decision-making and improves patient care.
Finally, this issue also includes a sample of our EDGE Advantage subscription content with “A Question of Quality: Measuring Strength and Durability in 3D-printed Lower-limb Prostheses.” This exclusive content delves into establishing how strong 3D-printed sockets should be and who will make a final decision toward standardization.
Happy reading.
