<img style="float: right;" src="https://opedge.com/Content/OldArticles/images/2006-02_10/per1.jpg" hspace="4" vspace="4" /> "Uniting Frontiers" among the O&P professionals in Central America was what initially motivated us to organize a forum where an open dialogue among rehabilitation professionals would allow us to evaluate the service level we offer and find the formula to improve it. The Forum, "Uniting Frontiers," was presented in Antigua, Guatemala, last July, and the result changed all of us positively in various ways. A small group of people from this region in Central America sparked the enthusiasm of many others and gained the participation of state institutions and nonprofit organizations that offer various rehabilitation programs. The enthusiasm also reached special education teachers who prepare instructions and training programs for people with special needs. Radio broadcasts from the forum site allowed the general Guatemalan community to participate, expressing their views about specialized rehabilitation services, the similarity or disparity of service levels, accessibility, and integration of patients with special capacities into society. During the three-day conference, an open dialogue existed where all participants had the opportunity to express their opinions. All concluded that a <b>change in attitude</b> was necessary in order to achieve better results in rehabilitation programs and other services we offer. <h4>Part of the Problem: Is It Us?</h4> Rehabilitation services in many of the hospital centers in Central America and the Caribbean do not reach their highest potential, but it is not only because of limited economic resources. In many cases, it is caused by the lack of enthusiasm among personnel and our failure to communicate amongst ourselves. The situation keeps us offering services in the same routine manner without any innovations. When I mention the lack of enthusiasm, I want to clarify that the attitude can even be indifference. Because of lack of communication, not only amongst ourselves, but also with our administrative departments, these departments are unaware of technological and clinical advances and what is necessary to improve O&P's technical and rehabilitation services. Administrators also have difficulty understanding the reasons for the actual costs of these services. A lack of knowledge, dialogue, and our own motivation also rebounds in the form of incorrect implementation of programs and the budget assigned, delaying our attention to those needing our services. <h4>We Can Achieve Our Goals</h4> <b>For years we have complained about what our institutions</b><b>don't offer us.</b> During this First Forum, "Uniting Frontiers," all participants accepted and recognized that part of the changes we are looking for depend on us. <b>WE WANT TO</b> improve the rehabilitation services we offer our patients today. <b>WE WANT TO</b> receive specialized attention in accordance with our needs. <b>WE WANT TO</b> be accepted and integrated in our society with equal rights. <b>WE WANT TO</b> be adequately educated to be competitive and successful in the present world. Frequently, we just say, "We want"--;but to reach our goals, all of us must aspire and contribute toward these goals. Unfortunately, the high standards of some of the institutions in our region in which everybody's job is performed enthusiastically, in which we serve others with pride, is not being exported. These institutions are great examples, and we should work to meet their standards of service and their positive attitude. We should raise our rehabilitation service level up to its potential capacity. Often, we can look to the examples of many of our patients, who, despite their own limitations, maintain a positive attitude, which allows them to confront the difficulties and live their life the best way possible. <b>A change of attitude--yes, we can! Let's work for it!</b> <i>Rosielena "Rosie" M. Jované C. is assistant director marketing and sales, International Department, for Becker Orthopedic, Troy, Michigan. She is Latin American consultant for the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) and coordinator of international projects and an advisor for the Community Service program for ISPO Panama.</i>
<img style="float: right;" src="https://opedge.com/Content/OldArticles/images/2006-02_10/per1.jpg" hspace="4" vspace="4" /> "Uniting Frontiers" among the O&P professionals in Central America was what initially motivated us to organize a forum where an open dialogue among rehabilitation professionals would allow us to evaluate the service level we offer and find the formula to improve it. The Forum, "Uniting Frontiers," was presented in Antigua, Guatemala, last July, and the result changed all of us positively in various ways. A small group of people from this region in Central America sparked the enthusiasm of many others and gained the participation of state institutions and nonprofit organizations that offer various rehabilitation programs. The enthusiasm also reached special education teachers who prepare instructions and training programs for people with special needs. Radio broadcasts from the forum site allowed the general Guatemalan community to participate, expressing their views about specialized rehabilitation services, the similarity or disparity of service levels, accessibility, and integration of patients with special capacities into society. During the three-day conference, an open dialogue existed where all participants had the opportunity to express their opinions. All concluded that a <b>change in attitude</b> was necessary in order to achieve better results in rehabilitation programs and other services we offer. <h4>Part of the Problem: Is It Us?</h4> Rehabilitation services in many of the hospital centers in Central America and the Caribbean do not reach their highest potential, but it is not only because of limited economic resources. In many cases, it is caused by the lack of enthusiasm among personnel and our failure to communicate amongst ourselves. The situation keeps us offering services in the same routine manner without any innovations. When I mention the lack of enthusiasm, I want to clarify that the attitude can even be indifference. Because of lack of communication, not only amongst ourselves, but also with our administrative departments, these departments are unaware of technological and clinical advances and what is necessary to improve O&P's technical and rehabilitation services. Administrators also have difficulty understanding the reasons for the actual costs of these services. A lack of knowledge, dialogue, and our own motivation also rebounds in the form of incorrect implementation of programs and the budget assigned, delaying our attention to those needing our services. <h4>We Can Achieve Our Goals</h4> <b>For years we have complained about what our institutions</b><b>don't offer us.</b> During this First Forum, "Uniting Frontiers," all participants accepted and recognized that part of the changes we are looking for depend on us. <b>WE WANT TO</b> improve the rehabilitation services we offer our patients today. <b>WE WANT TO</b> receive specialized attention in accordance with our needs. <b>WE WANT TO</b> be accepted and integrated in our society with equal rights. <b>WE WANT TO</b> be adequately educated to be competitive and successful in the present world. Frequently, we just say, "We want"--;but to reach our goals, all of us must aspire and contribute toward these goals. Unfortunately, the high standards of some of the institutions in our region in which everybody's job is performed enthusiastically, in which we serve others with pride, is not being exported. These institutions are great examples, and we should work to meet their standards of service and their positive attitude. We should raise our rehabilitation service level up to its potential capacity. Often, we can look to the examples of many of our patients, who, despite their own limitations, maintain a positive attitude, which allows them to confront the difficulties and live their life the best way possible. <b>A change of attitude--yes, we can! Let's work for it!</b> <i>Rosielena "Rosie" M. Jované C. is assistant director marketing and sales, International Department, for Becker Orthopedic, Troy, Michigan. She is Latin American consultant for the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) and coordinator of international projects and an advisor for the Community Service program for ISPO Panama.</i>