Thursday, March 28, 2024

Re: Amputee Union of America

George Boyer

Sir – In response to your questions below:

The AUA would give amputees some leverage in bringing needed change to the

practice of prosthetics. I think the ‘industry’ is resistant to these

changes, thus I speculate that you people have anxiety about a union of

amputees since historically unions HAVE been effective in bringing about

change. Quake?? Well, the idea of such a union does motivate you to

respond to me.

The agenda of changes I have in mind (others will add their own and amend

mine) are found below in my discussion. This includes restructuring of

your ‘professionalism’, evaluation of talent as well as formal credentials

(testing etc) of persons working in the field, development of a meaningful

education effort directed to amputees and their families and the public at

large, among other things.

I want you people to become true professionals and separate yourselves from

the selling of products. The ‘bottom line’ for your businesses is too

evident in the handling of your patients’ (clients) needs. In the same

breath I add that I want you to realize benefits in all ways comparable to

the MDs, to which I consider you (or want to consider you) equal in your

own right, noting that the restorations you provide are fully as important

as the medical interventions occasioning them. You can’t be truly

professional until you can concentrate and really focus on the problems of

the amputee, which are the reason for your existence. You provide a NEW

limb for a human being which I consider absolutely as demanding as the care

of the health of that person.

I propose that the union of amputees set up a system of evaluation of

prosthetic services, which would recognize the value of the work of truly

talented persons and would work to see that insurers would favorably view

such superior work as the most economical.

btw – ADVANCED prosthetics??? What IS advanced prosthetics??? Who doesn’t

get it?

The question of talent of individuals practicing in the field is now

largely ignored, but its importance is central. Anybody, talented or not,

can pass the testing hurdles given assiduous preparation. My own

experience in passing the architectural boards is an example…..I

certainly was NOT a talented architect but I did pass. And in this field

the talent of the prosthetist impacts with immense intensity in his work.

So mere passing is not enough. People without talent must be shifted to

non-critical areas. The education of people entering this work must be

extended to include meaningful residency programs (far beyond the current

2000 hrs…..that’s merely one year) where the accomplished skills of the

master practitioner are absorbed and the talent for the work is assessed.

I think it important that specialties in prosthetics be established (AK,

BK, HD, HP etc) and that a saturated preparation be required for an

individual to do such work. (EG, not every prosthetist can fit a

Symes….perhaps it takes a special talent, and preparation, for this and

for all levels as well.)

The AUA will also provide pressure toward a new educational vector to be

provided by the newly professional prosthetists. This will include

education in depth of amputees and their families about their new

situation. Education of the public at large about limb loss and

replacement to dispel the general ignorance and anxiety. This is an effort

in which prosthetists could really shine and alleviate huge suffering

because the greatest part of the suffering of a new amputee eventuates from

his enormous anxiety and ignorance as he embarks on his changed life.

Another important work is the development of protocols covering readiness

to be fit….ending once and for all the tragi-comic steeplechase after the

new amputee.

Perhaps the above sheds some light on my interest in a union of amputees.

And the ‘industry’ is certainly free to start its own union, I doubt square

one. As for taking charge of my own prosthetic needs….welllll, I did go

that way back in the early 70s, got all the course work, lacking ‘clinical

affiliation’ and was discouraged. I will be interested to read your

response to the above. George B.

>

>

> With respect I ask the following questions :

>

> 1. Why do you, and others(I presume), feel the need for an Amputee

> Union ?

>

> 2. What would be the purpose of the Amputee Union ? What would you hope

> to accomplish ?

>

> 3. Why would the ‘industry members’ quake in their boots ?

>

> 4. What if the ‘profession’ or ‘industry’ started their own union ?

> Would everyone be back to square one ?

>

> 5. If you truly want to take charge of your own destiny, should you not

> become a Prosthetist, Orthotist, C. Ped., etc., and handle your own care

> ? ( I know O&P colleagues that do just that. ).

Respectfully,

RECENT NEWS

Get unlimited access!

Join EDGE ADVANTAGE and unlock The O&P EDGE's vast library of archived content.

O&P JOBS

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

The O&P EDGE Magazine
Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?