Labels, Names and Etiquete etc. (Last say)
Thomas Wickerson
Description
Collection
Title:
Labels, Names and Etiquete etc. (Last say)
Creator:
Thomas Wickerson
Date:
5/14/1999
Text:
Greetings all,
Now, I really do hope to be the last to post a note on this terminology
thing. I have read with interest all correspondence regarding this
matter and to be honest it was the latest posting from SCOTT G STRINGER
from NZ that has provoked and compelled me to finally respond.
My main concern is that from the mood of Scott's reply this subject is
obviously getting way too personal and heated and such correspondence
should be kept to private replies.
Publicly I will state:
1) I am a Prosthetist/Orthotist in England where the P/O services (in
fact all health care services) are provided by the state through a
taxation. Therefore there is no 'billing' to the individual and always a
guaranteed continuation of a quality service for the rest of that
persons life.
2)Now, I work in a London Hospital in which there is a Limb Surgery Unit
(LSU) and Prosthetic care is provided to those in the LSU while they are
still an in-patient, under the care of a consultant. Therefore during
this period I will regard them as 'Patients' as they usually have multi-
faceted medical/psychologiacl complications and they are still on a
'Ward', under the care of the Hospital of which I am an employed member
of the rehabilitation team.
Now, are they a 'consumer/user' or a 'patient' ?
When they are 'established' (discharged) I do not consider them as
patients, but whilst under the care of the Hospital they ARE a patient.
Where do we draw the line and when does a 'patient' become a
consumer/user?
As stated in earlier posts this is an international forum and cultural
differences will always cause confusion. (I have already commented on
these cultural differences when the Orthoses/Orthotic debate arouse).
I totally agree with Scott's views as a prosthetist providing care
through a state run system.
I totally agree with Kim's personal views as a Consumer/user using the
private/insurance run system used in the States.
Who is right?
Just do your job and do it well.
--
Thomas Wickerson MBAPO
Now, I really do hope to be the last to post a note on this terminology
thing. I have read with interest all correspondence regarding this
matter and to be honest it was the latest posting from SCOTT G STRINGER
from NZ that has provoked and compelled me to finally respond.
My main concern is that from the mood of Scott's reply this subject is
obviously getting way too personal and heated and such correspondence
should be kept to private replies.
Publicly I will state:
1) I am a Prosthetist/Orthotist in England where the P/O services (in
fact all health care services) are provided by the state through a
taxation. Therefore there is no 'billing' to the individual and always a
guaranteed continuation of a quality service for the rest of that
persons life.
2)Now, I work in a London Hospital in which there is a Limb Surgery Unit
(LSU) and Prosthetic care is provided to those in the LSU while they are
still an in-patient, under the care of a consultant. Therefore during
this period I will regard them as 'Patients' as they usually have multi-
faceted medical/psychologiacl complications and they are still on a
'Ward', under the care of the Hospital of which I am an employed member
of the rehabilitation team.
Now, are they a 'consumer/user' or a 'patient' ?
When they are 'established' (discharged) I do not consider them as
patients, but whilst under the care of the Hospital they ARE a patient.
Where do we draw the line and when does a 'patient' become a
consumer/user?
As stated in earlier posts this is an international forum and cultural
differences will always cause confusion. (I have already commented on
these cultural differences when the Orthoses/Orthotic debate arouse).
I totally agree with Scott's views as a prosthetist providing care
through a state run system.
I totally agree with Kim's personal views as a Consumer/user using the
private/insurance run system used in the States.
Who is right?
Just do your job and do it well.
--
Thomas Wickerson MBAPO
Citation
Thomas Wickerson, “Labels, Names and Etiquete etc. (Last say),” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 17, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/211796.
