Why Don’t We Get More Referrals?

At least once a month I have a patient with a sad story. But last month was one of the worst cases I have seen. I treated a 47-year-old woman who was in a car accident four years ago that led to brain damage and paralysis of her left side. Her physical therapist referred her to me to evaluate her for treatment of foot drop and severe wrist flexion contracture. When I see a patient who had a prior injury, I ask if he or she has received any orthotic treatment. When I asked the question of this patient, I found it unbelievable when she said she had received no treatment from an orthotist. I prescribed a simple carbon AFO, which improved her gait, controlled plantarflexion at the ankle joint, and provided more knee stability. However, her elbow, wrist, and finger joints were almost useless because of flexion contracture, with her fingers almost touching her wrist. I fitted a custom WHO, and I'm in the process of providing her with an elbow brace, having her come to the office every other week for adjustments to try to bring the joints back to the neutral position, as much as possible. But why was she never referred to an orthotist by her physicians? Were they not aware of orthotic treatment? Do they not believe in what we do? Are they afraid to prescribe orthoses because of an unsuccessful experience? Or do they just not spend enough time with their patients? I know this is not just my experience, and I'm sure there are a lot of practitioners who have faced similar scenarios. I need to know what we, as O&P providers, can do to educate physicians and other care providers about what we do and how a very simple wrist brace can change someone's life. I was talking to a physician friend who has treated geriatric patients at hospitals, nursing homes, and in private practice for three years. He said he has never referred a patient to an orthotist because he is a "conservative" physician. Is it really likely to see 20 to 30 geriatric patients a day for three years and none of them has back pain or knee osteoarthritis? If a 70-year-old complains of low back pain, would ordering an LSO to be worn one to two hours a day make the doctor nonconservative? This is one of the challenges we face. I have gone to physicians' offices to introduce myself and products, but I am often told by front office staff that the doctor doesn't have time to see me. So that's not the most efficient method of education. If other medical professionals are unaware or uneducated about our work and the benefits provided by O&P professionals, surely patients who may benefit from our specialty are also unaware of us. What do you think we could do to improve our message? How can we broaden our reach? Darya Shahrokhi, CPO, FAAOP, is the owner of Pioneer Orthotics and Prosthetics, Lake Forest and San Clemente, California. He can be contacted at dshahrokhi@pioneerop.com.

Why Don’t We Get More Referrals?

Clinical Notes: Everyone’s Favorite Topic

Editor’s Note – March 2021

Editor's Note - March 2021

O&P JOBS

Certified Prosthetist / Prosthetist-Orthotist (CP/CPO) Gates Prosthetics + Mobility Clinic — Mountain Home, AR

Clinic Manager – Certified Prosthetist Orthotist (CPO) – Rogers, AR

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Why Don’t We Get More Referrals?

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Related posts:

Clinical Notes: Everyone’s Favorite Topic

Editor’s Note – March 2021

Editor's Note - March 2021

O&P JOBS

Certified Prosthetist / Prosthetist-Orthotist (CP/CPO) Gates Prosthetics + Mobility Clinic — Mountain Home, AR

Clinic Manager – Certified Prosthetist Orthotist (CPO) – Rogers, AR

CPO

Get unlimited access!

EDGE DIRECT

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