To all my colleagues:
I am a Certified Prosthetist, a health care professional credentialed by a national health care accreditation organization (ABC) and proud of it. My credentials result from the possession of a baccalaureate degree and a certificate of education in prosthetics from Northwestern University Prosthetic and Orthotic Center. I am pleased to have enjoyed the recognition of other health care professionals for 17 1/2 years I have practiced my PROFESSION.
I am further pleased that Texas, my state of residence, has take a positive step by adopting a comprehensive licensure act for orthotists and prosthetists. I am further pleased that a board consisting of ABC practitioners, BOC practitioners and consumers has worked diligently and produced a fair and practical document delineating the rules and procedures for implementing the act as adopted by the Texas legislature.
I am not, nor have I ever been, a mechanic or tradesman. I have been a Professional throughout my career, and the fact that I am now to be licensed by the State of Texas will not change the manner in which I treat the patients referred to me for care. The license will, however, provide me with additional recognition, both for patients and payers.
I agree, Mr. Barr, this is a positive direction being taken by state organizations, and I encourage more state organizations to work to enact licensure.
Joseph C. Elliott, CP
Tony Barr wrote:
> I believe Florida O&P consumers can now be described as patients since (Florida) practitionors are now required to have a state license to practise their profession(previously a trade.)This recent transition (July 1998) in the state of Florida, of mandatory licensure, and minimumal educational standards , raises the status of the O&P practitionor to the level of a professional from a tradesman / mechanic identity.
>
> The prior (optional) certification process did not necessarrily quarantee qualification of the practitionor.With the requirement of a state license to practise the profession, goes the recognition, responsibility and accountablity of being a health care professional.
>
> Perhaps,once the “industry” in other states recognizes the importance of establishing mandatory credentials thru licensure , health care insurance providers will revisit and review insurance coverages for O&P services.The beneficiaries of regulation become the patient and the professional.The recent expansion of O&P coverage to adults by Florida Medicaid was a direct result of upgrading ,thru regulation ,the image and qualifications of the industry(now a profession in Florida!).
>
> Perhaps one might ask,”What other occupation deserves the recognition as a profession when no license or certification is required to practice their trade?Espicially when that occupation is health care related “?
>
> Congratulations Florida O&P PROFESSIONALS!!!
> You are leading the way to the transition of a higher standard from an “industry” to a “profession” and your identity as a health care professional!
>
> Anthony T. Barr
> The Barr Foundation
> www.oandp.com/barr
>
> > In response to the recent posting regarding referrring to amputees as
> > “patients” instead of “clients”.
> >
> > I have to respectively disagree with the authors assertion that a
> > Prosthetist is no more than a tradesman, or mechanic, who is hired to fill
> > an order for a part or supply. I believe that there is a very important
> > distinction between care giver and mechanic.
> >
> > Perhaps it is because I work in a hospital setting, but I do not believe any
> > of the patients that I provide care for, see out relationship as one where
> > a customer is hiring a mechanic to build them something. Of course there
> > is a part of what we do that is technical and requires reimbursement.
> > However, I think that it is degrading to the entire Prosthetic profession to
> > look at what we do as the same as a mechanic.
> >
> > Without getting to longwinded here, I will pose a couple of questions
> > myself.
> > Is the patient / Physical Therapist relationship any different? They are
> > hired to provide a service. They are paid to do so.
> > Is the patient / Surgeon relationship any different? They are hired to
> > work on the body and are also paid to do so.
> >
> > I do not believe that prosthetists are intentionally trying to offend
> > amputees by referring to them as patients, but when we are called in as
> > part of the rehabilitation team to assist with getting a person back on their
> > feet, or back to work, they see it as a patient / care giver relationship.
> > Thanks for letting me vent a little.
> > Steve Fletcher, CPO
> > Shands Hospital at the University of Florida
> >
