In a message dated 98-02-05 21:59:13 EST, Michael Mais wrote:
<< Does anybody know of a successful operation where the workshop travels to the patients and O/P are fitted/supplied in rural areas. >>
A colleague of mine here in Minnesota has run a successful O&P business for
many years using a van with a portable workshop. He fits his clients at their
home. Many years ago when I was with the Hanger organization we to fit and
adjusted clients prostheses in their homes. On one of the amputees List I just
read about another prosthetist in Florida also providing O&P services to
clients in rural Florida using a van workshop. This is how prosthetics was
provided in the United States for many years. The Winkley company of Minnesota
was one of the largest mail order companies for prostheses at the turn of the
century.
It would seem with modern technology and modular prostheses this work would be
made more possible. The state of Minnesota at one time was offering a state
grant to equip a mobile van for the servicing wheelchairs, orthoses and
prostheses in rural Minnesota. I am also familiar with the mobile workshops of
Otto Bock.
There was an interesting article by Edwin Black about prosthetics of the
future were the prosthetist was a continent away from the client being fitted.
Dr. Tim Staats, C.P. also has written about delivery of prosthetics in third
world countries.
Al Pike, C.P.
http://www.usinternet.com/users/AlPikeCP
