I understand your points.
However, the idea that making you a “professional” makes me, an amputee a
“patient” is
certainly NOT a logical nor valid assumption. I am a client. This does not
imply any
negative connotation for the prosthetist. It’s a simple, physical fact.
Whether a prosthetist is
a “tradesman” or “health care professional” is not relevant in determining
my status as “patient”
or “client”. Although I CHOOSE to be a “client” rather than “patient”, it
is also a physiological
sound choice. I’m not sick. I’m not ill. I’m not under a physician’s
care. I only see a physician
in order to validate payment to a prosthetist by my insurance company.
This, I think, is
a significant distinction.
It does appear ironic that prosthetists are getting a bit defensive about
titles since amputees
have been getting defensive about their own status for quite some time.
I don’t care what a prosthetist chooses to be called, or what they refuse to
be called.
The bottom line is this….
I’m not a “patient”. I’m a “client”.
Why? Because I’m not ill and I do not require a physicians care. I have a
“stump” (rbk). I’m
not a diabetic, don’t have heart disease, and there are no lesions. The
simple fact (and
irrefutable) is that I’m a completely healthy 42 year old male who just
happens to wear a
really large shoe on an otherwise really short leg. That does not, by any
stretch of logic
or imagination make me a “patient”.
I’m a client, and you’re a professional. End of story….
Cheers,
James R. Graham
—
—–Original Message—–
From: Joe Elliott
Date: Thursday, October 22, 1998 11:07 AM
Subject: Re: Patient or client?Professional or mechanic?
>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
>> >
>
