Re: the changing state of O and P
Baxter, Steve
Description
Collection
Title:
Re: the changing state of O and P
Creator:
Baxter, Steve
Date:
11/2/2001
Text:
I am guilty of non involvement on an organizational level as well. I have
recently become an examiner for the Orthotic exam, so perhaps rather then
jumping in the pool I'm tickling my toe in it.
I agree with your points, and there's nothing like a good rant. A
point for me is the costs of the meetings. $475 for members ( in addition to
the membership dues) or $780 for non-members is just to steep for me . Add
the room rate for how many nights, transportation, meals and its a
significant amount of dollars for the in the trench practitioner. Keep
adding in the ABC renewal of 275.00 ( I was surprised to see it raised from
250.00) and here in Texas the licensing renewal of 150.00 per year ( it's
really 300.00 every 2 years) and it's just too much money. If your looking
for clinical/scientific presentations look at the ACPOC meeting. It's not
commericalized, or sales seminars, and the registration is a paltry 325.00.
I have attended ACPOC 3 out of the last 4 years and I think its a much
better clinical learning expierence not only because the subject matter is
patient care related, but the diversity of the attendees. There are MD's,
P.T.'s O.T.'s, nurses, engineers and so on. Also the set-up structure of the
meeting enhances the exchange of ideas across numerous specialties.
I keep looking for more responses to your challenge.
Steve
Steve Baxter C.O., Director
Department Of Orthotics
Shriners Hospital for Children, Houston
713-793-3867
<Email Address Redacted>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: John Gibson CP [SMTP: <Email Address Redacted> ]
> Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2001 4:10 PM
> To: <Email Address Redacted>
> Subject: [OANDP-L] the changing state of O and P
>
> It is time for ALL of us to wake up!! The non involved practitioner has
> to
> become a thing of the past. We must retake our professional associations.
> I
> have spoken with a founding member of the academy and the Academy in its
> current form, was not what he believed was in mind when they decided to
> start
> an Academy. It was supposed to be for O and P clinicians as a forum to
> exchange Ideas and Techniques. I am afraid it has become an arm of the
> supplier community to educate....oops I mean Market their products.
>
> With the change in the bylaws of the Association, the same result will
> apply.
> Now I suppose Don Joy reps will now have AOPA logos on their cards, as
> they
> go in and deliver Items to doctors below my cost.
>
> The American Board for Certification, certification of what? I see them
> positioning themselves as the testing branch for licensing. Why have
> ONE
> national test, when you can ding em FIFTY times for each state? Although
> the
> official ABC position on Licenser is neutral, who is administering the
> state
> exams.
>
> I was told when I got into this field fifteen years ago, that my ABC
> certification was the GOLD standard for practicing. Now with state
> licensing
> coming along, I cannot practice in four states now. I am not even
> eligible
> to take the test!
>
> Somehow I have survived for fifteen years on arcane knowledge. Such as
> being
> able to fabricate, if needed, almost any item I provide. Though I do not
> relish the thought of making another Hip disartic from scratch, I have
> done
> it. I see current educated practitioners who cant even square a
> stirrup,
> much less set up a prosthesis on bench alignment. Heck, if the techs ever
> got organized, many a practice would crumble.
>
> What is the solution? We got no one to blame but ourselves. I am just as
> guilty as anyone. When was the last time I even tried to talk to ANY
> candidate for ANY position, with ANY group? Never!! Is it the fault of
> those in charge that no one steps forward to run for these positions?
> Hell,
> it is easy to throw stones from the masses at the ones in charge. They
> took
> the responsibility of assuming a position that is much harder than anyone
> thinks.
>
> But instead of just bitching about it, let's do something about it. Why
> don't we ALL get involved with our local organizations all the way up to
> the
> national level? Yes, it will take some of that one commodity that no one
> has
> an abundance of, TIME.
>
> We cannot afford to not make that investment. In the past I have read
> these
> boards, but not participated in them. I have attended the academy and not
> spoken up. I have been guilty of not participating. I can no longer do
> that.
>
> So, starting right here, right now, I am going to make a stand.
>
> I feel it is wrong for ANY of our national organizations to make ANY
> changes
> to by-laws without the Full vote of the membership. We can't have 42
> people
> deciding what is best for us.
>
> I want ABC to announce their position on state licensing. And don't give
> me
> that not our position to say crap
>
> I want real continuing education. If you are going to require it to
> maintain
> my certification, I want more than marketing. I want the academy to
> sponsor
> true clinical field studies of devices and how they hold up. I am so
> tired
> of all of the best, new better products coming out. I just want
> components
> that will hold up.
>
> We should all join our professional Organizations and become involved.
>
> I plan to.
>
>
>
>
> Just my opinion,
>
> John Gibson, CP
>
>
recently become an examiner for the Orthotic exam, so perhaps rather then
jumping in the pool I'm tickling my toe in it.
I agree with your points, and there's nothing like a good rant. A
point for me is the costs of the meetings. $475 for members ( in addition to
the membership dues) or $780 for non-members is just to steep for me . Add
the room rate for how many nights, transportation, meals and its a
significant amount of dollars for the in the trench practitioner. Keep
adding in the ABC renewal of 275.00 ( I was surprised to see it raised from
250.00) and here in Texas the licensing renewal of 150.00 per year ( it's
really 300.00 every 2 years) and it's just too much money. If your looking
for clinical/scientific presentations look at the ACPOC meeting. It's not
commericalized, or sales seminars, and the registration is a paltry 325.00.
I have attended ACPOC 3 out of the last 4 years and I think its a much
better clinical learning expierence not only because the subject matter is
patient care related, but the diversity of the attendees. There are MD's,
P.T.'s O.T.'s, nurses, engineers and so on. Also the set-up structure of the
meeting enhances the exchange of ideas across numerous specialties.
I keep looking for more responses to your challenge.
Steve
Steve Baxter C.O., Director
Department Of Orthotics
Shriners Hospital for Children, Houston
713-793-3867
<Email Address Redacted>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: John Gibson CP [SMTP: <Email Address Redacted> ]
> Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2001 4:10 PM
> To: <Email Address Redacted>
> Subject: [OANDP-L] the changing state of O and P
>
> It is time for ALL of us to wake up!! The non involved practitioner has
> to
> become a thing of the past. We must retake our professional associations.
> I
> have spoken with a founding member of the academy and the Academy in its
> current form, was not what he believed was in mind when they decided to
> start
> an Academy. It was supposed to be for O and P clinicians as a forum to
> exchange Ideas and Techniques. I am afraid it has become an arm of the
> supplier community to educate....oops I mean Market their products.
>
> With the change in the bylaws of the Association, the same result will
> apply.
> Now I suppose Don Joy reps will now have AOPA logos on their cards, as
> they
> go in and deliver Items to doctors below my cost.
>
> The American Board for Certification, certification of what? I see them
> positioning themselves as the testing branch for licensing. Why have
> ONE
> national test, when you can ding em FIFTY times for each state? Although
> the
> official ABC position on Licenser is neutral, who is administering the
> state
> exams.
>
> I was told when I got into this field fifteen years ago, that my ABC
> certification was the GOLD standard for practicing. Now with state
> licensing
> coming along, I cannot practice in four states now. I am not even
> eligible
> to take the test!
>
> Somehow I have survived for fifteen years on arcane knowledge. Such as
> being
> able to fabricate, if needed, almost any item I provide. Though I do not
> relish the thought of making another Hip disartic from scratch, I have
> done
> it. I see current educated practitioners who cant even square a
> stirrup,
> much less set up a prosthesis on bench alignment. Heck, if the techs ever
> got organized, many a practice would crumble.
>
> What is the solution? We got no one to blame but ourselves. I am just as
> guilty as anyone. When was the last time I even tried to talk to ANY
> candidate for ANY position, with ANY group? Never!! Is it the fault of
> those in charge that no one steps forward to run for these positions?
> Hell,
> it is easy to throw stones from the masses at the ones in charge. They
> took
> the responsibility of assuming a position that is much harder than anyone
> thinks.
>
> But instead of just bitching about it, let's do something about it. Why
> don't we ALL get involved with our local organizations all the way up to
> the
> national level? Yes, it will take some of that one commodity that no one
> has
> an abundance of, TIME.
>
> We cannot afford to not make that investment. In the past I have read
> these
> boards, but not participated in them. I have attended the academy and not
> spoken up. I have been guilty of not participating. I can no longer do
> that.
>
> So, starting right here, right now, I am going to make a stand.
>
> I feel it is wrong for ANY of our national organizations to make ANY
> changes
> to by-laws without the Full vote of the membership. We can't have 42
> people
> deciding what is best for us.
>
> I want ABC to announce their position on state licensing. And don't give
> me
> that not our position to say crap
>
> I want real continuing education. If you are going to require it to
> maintain
> my certification, I want more than marketing. I want the academy to
> sponsor
> true clinical field studies of devices and how they hold up. I am so
> tired
> of all of the best, new better products coming out. I just want
> components
> that will hold up.
>
> We should all join our professional Organizations and become involved.
>
> I plan to.
>
>
>
>
> Just my opinion,
>
> John Gibson, CP
>
>
Citation
Baxter, Steve, “Re: the changing state of O and P,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 5, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/217966.
