Monday, November 4, 2024

Consolidation

Earlier this week I responded with the following message to

“kevslick”. It does not appear that the earlier transmission was

successful, so I am repeating it. I apologize it you have received it

before.

C. Pritham

Original Message

In a message dated 3/9/99 kevslick states, “My time is better spent

focusing on the patients I serve and keeping up with the “profession””.

He further states that AOPA and AAOP separately represent the interests

of their members, implying that the interests of the two are not the

same.

I would contend that the interests of the two organizations,

education and affecting public policy towards the delivery of P&O care,

are inextricably mingled and more closely aligned than ever before.

Moreover, I would suggest that it is our obligation as professionals to

be involved in the public arena and to be working to positively shape the

factors affecting the delivery of services to the patient.

ABC certified practitioners are proud to assert that they are the

best qualified to provide custom P&O services. If that is so then who is

better qualified to affect public policy towards the delivery of P&O

care? We are shirking our ethical, moral, and professional

responsibility if we do not make the effort and do not do it in the most

effective fashion possible.

Consolidation of AAOP and AOPA’s efforts in one organization

working on the national and state level to represent the value of ABC

standards means that those efforts could not help but be more effective

than they are now. Both organizations have significant assets in this

matter. What is lacking is a coordinated, consistent, and timely

structure to deploy these assets most effectively. Consolidation would

provide the missing element and more effectively than alternate means.

A similar argument can be made for consolidation of their efforts

in the education arena. The result could not help but be more cost

effective and better organized.

There are those that contend that the two organizations can and

should negotiate these issues between them while retaining their separate

identities. The problem with this approach is that the retention of

identity and prerogatives impedes the negotiation process and makes it

exceedingly hard to arrive at a common position. The result is slow

reaction time and a distracted leadership. The problem is compounded when

you have dueling personalities involved. We have at least 10 years of

experience that attest to this interpretation of what has been going on

in the national office. Leadership of all the organizations have striven

on a constant basis to work together in pursuit of the best interests of

all involved. Inevitably, though, the dynamics of the relationship

between separate and independent organizations and their internal

dynamics have impeded the process. I believe that consolidation is the

ultimate solution to the matter.

We are confronted with significant challenges now and in the

future. Challenges that will have major implications for how we deliver

services to the patient and our very existence. As Ben Franklin said,

“Either we hang together or we hang alone”.

C. Pritham, CPO, FAAOP

Past President, ABC

RECENT NEWS

Get unlimited access!

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

O&P JOBS

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

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?