Perhaps the recent AOPA business survey could be used as a starting = point for assessment? Look at profitability and performance of facilities in licensed vs. non-licensed states? Perhaps other data licensure related performance data could also be gleaned from this report? Don’t recall = all the questions and info AOPA was requesting, but it might be a place to start.=20
Ralph W. Nobbe, CPO
President
Nobbe Orthopedics, Inc.
ralph@nobbeorthopedics.com
—–Original Message—–
From: Orthotics and Prosthetics List [mailto:OANDP-L@LISTS.UFL.EDU] On Behalf Of Sam E. Hamontree
Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2004 11:04 AM
To: OANDP-L@LISTS.UFL.EDU
Subject: [OANDP-L] Review/Study of the Effects of O&P Licensure
Licensure of orthotists and prosthetists (and possibly facilities in = some
states) has been in effect for a number of years now. From its = proponents we continually hear and read about the benefits of licensure = (governmental regulations of providers) to patients, to some extent O&P companies, and = to the public in general. These benefits, as stated, are somewhat like motherhood — who could argue with them. Let me assure you, I am not arguing with nor taking issue with those stated benefits nor with the proponents of licensure.
My question however is: Is it time to ask the question and to = study/measure in some manner the true effect O&P licensure has had in the individual states in which it is in effect? Such questions as the following could = be included along with others: For Patients 1. Is it living up to its = stated benefits? 2. Have patients truly received benefits? — If so, can they = be identified/quantified? 3. Have patient care/services improved from licensure? — If so, can such be identified/quantified?
For Practitioners
1. What has been the pro’s and the con’s?
2. Has it affected how you provide patient care/services? If so, how? = 3.
Has it affected your ability to provide care/services? If so, how? 4. = Has it affected your ability to relocate to another state?
For Facilities
1. What has been the effect on facilities?
2. Has it had a favorable or unfavorable effect on the ability to = provide quality and timely patient care/services? — for either: Can such be identified/quantified? 3. Has it limited the ability to recruit = qualified professional staff? — If so, how: can such be identified/quantified.
I am sure that others could significantly improve on these questions and develop others which are more meaningful.
It is my feeling that it is time for this question to be asked/studied. = This is not intended to be either pro licensure nor negative toward = licensure.
It just seems that something so important in orthotics and prosthetics should not continue to be accepted without question and without study. = If any idea or concept is worth its being, it will certainly stand up to = review and study.
Certainly if it is proven to have a measurable positive effect on = patient care/services and their delivery, such would be highly advantageous in obtaining licensure in other states.
I would suggest a study be developed and conducted by an UNBIASED entity = or entities. What about the Academy, AOPA, ABC — possibly a study group = among the three. It just seems that we have had licensure long enough that it = is worthy of evaluation.
COULD WE POSSIBLY KEEP THIS DISCUSSION, AT THIS TIME, LIMITED TO THE = PRO’S & CON’S OF A STUDY/REVIEW — THE NEED FOR — OR LACK THEREOF? PLEASE, = LET’S NOT START DEBATING LICENSURE ITSELF AS RELATED TO THIS POSTING.
Respectfully, Sam E. Hamontree, CP
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