Responses to the latest polls on The O&P EDGE social media sites show that a lot of O&P facilities have at least one bilingual staff member, it’s hard to choose the best scary movie, and wellness and self-esteem issues are the biggest challenges lower-limb amputees can face.
An article in the October issue of The O&P EDGE highlights our nation’s growing Latino population and their need for O&P interventions. Those who responded to our poll question—When it comes to receiving care at your facilities, how does your staff communicate with Spanish-speaking patients?—47 percent reported having a bilingual employee on staff; 21 percent said their client brings someone with them to translate; and 16 percent said they provide a translator for their patients.
Of the 16 percent who chose “other,” one orthotist said, “I believe there was discussion on this on the [OANDP-L] listserv a while back. I was not able to verify, but I recall legally the facility is required to provide a translator and should not rely on the patient bringing one as they may not translate appropriately.”
Another comment came from a CPO/resident. “We use a service online that connects us to a translator of the needed language. This is done on an iPad connected to a mobile cart,” he said.
Earlier this month our question centered on scary and suspenseful movies (it is October, after all). Of the choices, The Birds, Carrie, Friday the 13th, and the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, each received 25 percent of the vote. They must be classics for a reason.
Last week’s question, the first of two parts, focuses on the challenges that come with amputations. Of the responses to part one (What are some the biggest challenges a new lower-limb amputee can face?) 52 percent said wellness and self-esteem issues were the most difficult; 30 percent found adapting to mobility issues were the biggest challenges; 13 percent said dealing with public perception; and four percent said finding help through peer and family support.
Speaking of responses, part two of our latest poll is up and in full swing. Our question: What are some of the biggest challenges those with upper-limb amputations face?
Tell us what you think. We love to hear from you.
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