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
