<img style="float: right;" src="https://opedge.com/Content/OldArticles/images/2004-01_01/mfairley.jpg" hspace="4" vspace="4" /> Your O&P EDGE team is looking forward to 2004: Exciting and challenging times are ahead for the O&P and allied rehab professions, and we look forward to keeping you abreast of the latest happenings and what they mean for you. 2003 was a year of technological advances, reimbursement issues, big legislative battles and changes, and strides forward in O&P education. What will 2004 bring? Time will tell, but one thing we can be reasonably sure of: there will be more challenges facing the field in terms of legislative and reimbursement issues. Plus, there will be the more positive challenges of new technology and clinical research findings. However, meeting both these positive and negative challenges provides an opportunity to hone clinical and business skills--and to grow both professionally and personally. "Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors," says an African proverb. One way to meet the challenges is to reflect on the big picture--"where have I been; where am I now; where do I want to be?"--and "how do I get there?" Then, take the time to create a plan. In his <a href="https://opedge.com/2750">September 2003 "Perspective" article</a>, Randy Schmitke, CPA, MBA, suggested scheduling several hours on a given day or a quiet Saturday morning at the office to consider if your practice or company is heading where you want it to go. Writing down specific goals and strategies to achieve them can help create the plan, which can be communicated to the staff to help the entire company pull in the same direction. What will happen in 2004? Part of the answer lies with every one of us. Happy sailing! <img style="float: right;" src="https://opedge.com/Content/OldArticles/images/2004-01_01/mfairley_signature.gif" hspace="4" vspace="4" />
<img style="float: right;" src="https://opedge.com/Content/OldArticles/images/2004-01_01/mfairley.jpg" hspace="4" vspace="4" /> Your O&P EDGE team is looking forward to 2004: Exciting and challenging times are ahead for the O&P and allied rehab professions, and we look forward to keeping you abreast of the latest happenings and what they mean for you. 2003 was a year of technological advances, reimbursement issues, big legislative battles and changes, and strides forward in O&P education. What will 2004 bring? Time will tell, but one thing we can be reasonably sure of: there will be more challenges facing the field in terms of legislative and reimbursement issues. Plus, there will be the more positive challenges of new technology and clinical research findings. However, meeting both these positive and negative challenges provides an opportunity to hone clinical and business skills--and to grow both professionally and personally. "Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors," says an African proverb. One way to meet the challenges is to reflect on the big picture--"where have I been; where am I now; where do I want to be?"--and "how do I get there?" Then, take the time to create a plan. In his <a href="https://opedge.com/2750">September 2003 "Perspective" article</a>, Randy Schmitke, CPA, MBA, suggested scheduling several hours on a given day or a quiet Saturday morning at the office to consider if your practice or company is heading where you want it to go. Writing down specific goals and strategies to achieve them can help create the plan, which can be communicated to the staff to help the entire company pull in the same direction. What will happen in 2004? Part of the answer lies with every one of us. Happy sailing! <img style="float: right;" src="https://opedge.com/Content/OldArticles/images/2004-01_01/mfairley_signature.gif" hspace="4" vspace="4" />