Re: the changing state of O and P
Morris Gallo
Description
Collection
Title:
Re: the changing state of O and P
Creator:
Morris Gallo
Date:
11/1/2001
Text:
Mr. Gibson
You are correct, you need to start becoming involved! The first thing is to
learn the difference between the Academy and AOPA. Currently the Academy is the
only organization fighting for the ABC credential. It appears even ABC is
capitulating to the $$dollar$$. Then you need to actually learn how licensure
happens. If you had worked in any of the states that are now license states you
would have been eligible. Several of the states even made licensure available to
anyone in the world who could meet rather flimsy standards.
Get educated in the politics of O&P, and welcome aboard.
Morris Gallo, CPO
John Gibson CP wrote:
> 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
>
>
You are correct, you need to start becoming involved! The first thing is to
learn the difference between the Academy and AOPA. Currently the Academy is the
only organization fighting for the ABC credential. It appears even ABC is
capitulating to the $$dollar$$. Then you need to actually learn how licensure
happens. If you had worked in any of the states that are now license states you
would have been eligible. Several of the states even made licensure available to
anyone in the world who could meet rather flimsy standards.
Get educated in the politics of O&P, and welcome aboard.
Morris Gallo, CPO
John Gibson CP wrote:
> 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
Morris Gallo, “Re: the changing state of O and P,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 6, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/217972.
