Friday, November 8, 2024

Re: consolidation

John Russell

Hi All

Thanks to Al for starting this thread

I would like to put in a brief note on this subject and also add some

thoughts that have not been address. The thoughts of course will not be

mainstream, but in my peon opinion they are not the BOX way of looking at

the issue.

For the survival of our profession, looking ahead I see that consolidation,

is walking into the lion pit. Let me try to explain, there is a major

movement in having bioengineers more involved in our profession, to the

point where they will some how be on the Rehab team directing the rest of

the team of how to make limbs and braces. First they will be in rehab

clinics, then in OandP offices. This comes from personal involvement in

working with the U.of Berkley BioLab on a cycle racing leg, and from

listservs. Will the bioengineers be in a sub-categories or will we?

In the last few years in general terms the business side has guided the

direction of our profession. In most aspects this has been good. Put this

has put an emphasis on products for sale and not on total improvement of

providing services to our clients. There are major improvements that we

could accomplish in improving our delivery systems. These improvements would

reduce our cost and improve our outcomes. Somehow the National Office has

not help and even hinders the progression in forging ahead in this area. (In

my Opinion) Why are the major improvements in our profession started by

individuals.

I see this more as protecting the past and not looking ahead. What happens

when we waste resources and energy doing politics that allow other’s to gain

a foothold in our profession. After BOC started then ABC opens up or

extends certification, this is not looking to the future.

One major difference from a Dr. PT OT or RN all states license these

profession, and the State’s control of the profession creates a separation

from the business side of the profession.

I would like to point out another aspect of this issue, (In my Opinion) I

think that we are very lucky with the changes in health care, that we have

faired so well. Doctors are having to deal with major cut in salaries. PT

and OT offices have been closing all the country, (more than 700 home health

offices have closed in the last five years) with a major hit in Home health

care companies. HMO’s and PPO’s have reduced the numbers of hospital beds

across the country. If we changed our stripes in the middle of the health

care upheaval it might take a couple years to get in the groove again. Can

anyone step forward and guarantees that we will fair any better?

ABC, NCOPE autonomous (budget, policy, governance, & staff) entities but

under the umbrella of the new organization. They will have non-voting

membership on the Board How will this last if they don’t have a vote.

Consolidation, what is the point? Of all the e-mails if still can’t find a

good logical reason for doing it.

Lisa comments; National Office needs consolidation not only for

convenience, but also (and more importantly) for survival. There are many

ways to make the National Office efficient, why not work on making National

Office staff more efficient. If we are not doing a good job with all of

these associations why make it bigger. $100,000.00 would go a long way in

improving communication at the National Office.

That’s all for now.

[email protected]

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?