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