the changing state of O and P

the changing state of O and P

John Gibson CP

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