Re: Quality, amputee union, ABC value etc.
George Boyer
Description
Collection
Title:
Re: Quality, amputee union, ABC value etc.
Creator:
George Boyer
Date:
9/22/1999
Text:
Hi Lane Ferrin - The purpose of our discussion is not to focus on the
shortcomings of the medical sector but to improve what P&O does for the
people it serves. The medical paradigm, however flawed in operation, has
as it's background a solid educational protocol intended to transfer
accumulated skills of master practitioners to the newcomer and it is
this which we need to emulate......plus the establishment of recognized
focussed specialties of practice. Since you find little difference in
the care provided by these two groups then it is clear that you find
significant deficiencies in the practice of P&O.....it is these which
our attention must focus on.
I think many people, amputees especially, will increasingly come to see
the benefits a union of amputees could provide. There is now no
independent voice for the amputee....all existing groups offer to do
something FOR amputees, acting from a center of action which is not
amputee central; or which are an amalgam of other-centered efforts (eg
ACA). Actions FOR us inevitably are biased or subtly deficient by way
of self focus, a focus based on a constellation of values which are not
the amputees' native values. However benevolent, those values and
vision OF the amputees' best interests reflect outside views. Not
necessarily incompatible but only if these actions and outside views are
monitored by amputees themselves via their OWN agency. The commercial
aspect of P&O clearly gives a bias to their approach. The distaste of
medical professionals for extended involvement beyond specific treatment
plus a concurrent 'medicalization' of problems present difficulties.
Other medical specialties tend to retard in subtle ways the recognition
of a 'patient's' need for personhood. The AUA will provide this
independent voice and help to forward the amputee's self interest in
mediating the attention of others and, at times, acting as an ombudsman
as necessary. And of course the AUA will firmly help to shepherd the
P&O sector toward educational adequacy including extended residency
programs, etc. Cheers, George Boyer.
<Email Address Redacted> wrote:
>
> To all who have contributed to these various discussions, I feel a more
> objective look at the comparisons that have been made between physicians
> and O&P practitioners might be helpful.
> Where quality of care is concerned I feel there is little difference
> between the two. Considering the scope of comparative working knowledge
> required to provide that care I see no significant difference. I have
> had and been privy to many experiences with physicians that were
> appalling in the degree of sloppy, insensitive and rushed procedures,
> communication and bedside manner. There seems to exist a mental
> barrier in some against questioning a physician's skills, approach and/or
> manner. This is decreasing as we all are forced to take more
> responsibility for our care due to the HMO scene etc. but it still
> exists. That same mental barrier does not exist in any significant way
> in our field. Thats good. What I'm saying is that there are no
> patient unions, but if that would improve care maybe there should be.
> If it would improve care in our field, maybe an amputee union is
> needed. However, those are very large ifs.
> I personally work hard to improve my skills, not only as a practitioner
> (as in fitting, follow-up etc.) but in communication and listening
> skills, manner of approach etc. I know of prosthetists who are in this
> field for the money (?) but they are few. Unfortunately there are few
> ways to judge a prosthetist without experiencing first hand a fitting,
> adjustment or some other contact. Communication with other amputees is
> the best way to judge, just as communicating with others about their
> physician is the best way to choose one. Choosing a health care provider
> is too personal a decision to make to be left to chance or even to
> credentials.
> I am concerned that there are amputees who have been so poorly served by
> a prosthetist that they are having to propose such active measures to
> improve things. I do think we as a profession are trying hard to
> guarantee proper training
>
> Lane Ferrin CP
> ___________________________________________________________________
> Get the Internet just the way you want it.
> Free software, free e-mail, and free Internet access for a month!
> Try Juno Web: <URL Redacted>.
>
>
shortcomings of the medical sector but to improve what P&O does for the
people it serves. The medical paradigm, however flawed in operation, has
as it's background a solid educational protocol intended to transfer
accumulated skills of master practitioners to the newcomer and it is
this which we need to emulate......plus the establishment of recognized
focussed specialties of practice. Since you find little difference in
the care provided by these two groups then it is clear that you find
significant deficiencies in the practice of P&O.....it is these which
our attention must focus on.
I think many people, amputees especially, will increasingly come to see
the benefits a union of amputees could provide. There is now no
independent voice for the amputee....all existing groups offer to do
something FOR amputees, acting from a center of action which is not
amputee central; or which are an amalgam of other-centered efforts (eg
ACA). Actions FOR us inevitably are biased or subtly deficient by way
of self focus, a focus based on a constellation of values which are not
the amputees' native values. However benevolent, those values and
vision OF the amputees' best interests reflect outside views. Not
necessarily incompatible but only if these actions and outside views are
monitored by amputees themselves via their OWN agency. The commercial
aspect of P&O clearly gives a bias to their approach. The distaste of
medical professionals for extended involvement beyond specific treatment
plus a concurrent 'medicalization' of problems present difficulties.
Other medical specialties tend to retard in subtle ways the recognition
of a 'patient's' need for personhood. The AUA will provide this
independent voice and help to forward the amputee's self interest in
mediating the attention of others and, at times, acting as an ombudsman
as necessary. And of course the AUA will firmly help to shepherd the
P&O sector toward educational adequacy including extended residency
programs, etc. Cheers, George Boyer.
<Email Address Redacted> wrote:
>
> To all who have contributed to these various discussions, I feel a more
> objective look at the comparisons that have been made between physicians
> and O&P practitioners might be helpful.
> Where quality of care is concerned I feel there is little difference
> between the two. Considering the scope of comparative working knowledge
> required to provide that care I see no significant difference. I have
> had and been privy to many experiences with physicians that were
> appalling in the degree of sloppy, insensitive and rushed procedures,
> communication and bedside manner. There seems to exist a mental
> barrier in some against questioning a physician's skills, approach and/or
> manner. This is decreasing as we all are forced to take more
> responsibility for our care due to the HMO scene etc. but it still
> exists. That same mental barrier does not exist in any significant way
> in our field. Thats good. What I'm saying is that there are no
> patient unions, but if that would improve care maybe there should be.
> If it would improve care in our field, maybe an amputee union is
> needed. However, those are very large ifs.
> I personally work hard to improve my skills, not only as a practitioner
> (as in fitting, follow-up etc.) but in communication and listening
> skills, manner of approach etc. I know of prosthetists who are in this
> field for the money (?) but they are few. Unfortunately there are few
> ways to judge a prosthetist without experiencing first hand a fitting,
> adjustment or some other contact. Communication with other amputees is
> the best way to judge, just as communicating with others about their
> physician is the best way to choose one. Choosing a health care provider
> is too personal a decision to make to be left to chance or even to
> credentials.
> I am concerned that there are amputees who have been so poorly served by
> a prosthetist that they are having to propose such active measures to
> improve things. I do think we as a profession are trying hard to
> guarantee proper training
>
> Lane Ferrin CP
> ___________________________________________________________________
> Get the Internet just the way you want it.
> Free software, free e-mail, and free Internet access for a month!
> Try Juno Web: <URL Redacted>.
>
>
Citation
George Boyer, “Re: Quality, amputee union, ABC value etc.,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 5, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/213048.
