Raise your status to that of a professional

Raise your status to that of a professional

Anthony T. Barr

4/29/2002

Thank you Gary for the communication you sent below.

Often times we can be so deep in the forest we can't see the trees!
Having your unbiased input as a O&P profesional from Africa is certainly a
distance from the non productive alphabet soup controversy that we have
experienced in the USA for far too long.!!

It too bad that more of your colleques in the USA havent taken a similar
approach to resolution!

Yes, I agree there is no need for the two certification systems although
there is a measurable and quantifiable difference between the educational
requirements established by ABC and BOC as pointed out recently by a
licensed professional, Steven L. Fries LPO of Florida. If a state license
was required in place of the no certification requirement or a
certification
in each state,controversy over the two would be a mood point!

It is my opinion that discussion of the pros and cons of both certification
credentials has restrained professionals and consumers from focusing and
advocating jointly for state regulation and better coverage and porper
reimbursement.
Certification of any type is only optional in most all states for the
provider to receive reimbursement for his services!

A state license exam fairly weighed and administered independently from
both disciplines would allow specific initial testing and continuing
education exams to individuals with either or of both credentials with the
purpose of achieving a state license to provide comprehensive O&P services.

The result would not only put a stop to the sand box issue but would also
place the responsibility and accountability of delivering proper and
qualified O&P services, upon the individual practitioner and the state board
that oversees licensed O&P providers and their activities.

This solution is perhaps too simple for everyone to agree to but neither the
less, a real solution to not only stopping the alphabet soup wars, but a
solution to better ensure the delivery of qualified services, and obtain
proper coverage's and increase reimbursement levels for licensed
professionals.

Regulation and obtaining the status of being a licensed professional would
also better ensure a increased future supply of practitioners to better meet
the projected demand of these highly specialized health care services.
The KISS theory of solutions!

Tony Barr

----- Original Message -----
From: < <Email Address Redacted> >
To: < <Email Address Redacted> >; < <Email Address Redacted> >
Sent: Monday, April 29, 2002 2:49 PM
Subject: Re: [OANDP-L] It is up to you!


> Hi All, Tony and Al
>
> I think that Al Pikes question, is the answer. Why is there a need for two
> certfication systems? I have in the past year looked into the US
certfication
> process and I have found that neither program is complete. That what the
ABC
> program lacks the BOC program has and vice versa. This being, that the
entry
> level into the ABC is too high and that the exit level of the BOC program
is
> too low. The answer is possibly in the combination of the two programs so
that
> those candidates who do not have the entry level requirements of ABC but
have
> the determination and skill, still have the opportunity to achieve the ABC
> level of certification. I do believe that a national certification
> qualification should be compulsory, as the O & P profession is being
undermined
> in the US by underqualified practioners. At the same time there are many
> excellent candidates for certification who do not qualify for ABC
> certification, but should be given the opportunity. For example O & P
Tech´s.
>
> Best wishes
>
> Gary Seaman
> Orthotist/ Prosthetist
>
> > What we need is regulation of this profession to:
> >
> > 1)Stop this counterproductive alphabet soup sand box feuding and focus
> > on the real solution by requiring every provider to have a license to
> > practice.
> > 2)Better ensure patient protection and proper delivery of qualified
> > services
> > 3)Provide ACCOUNTABILITY , state and federal oversight to providers of
> > comprehensive O&P services
> > 4)Promote and encourage proper coverage by third party payers
> >
> > As a open question to all subscribers :
> >
> > What other legitimate heath care profession, providing comprehensive
> > health care services, does not require a state license to legally
> > provide these services ?
> >
> > I look forward to receiving the exceptions but there will be none!
> >
> > Consumers,do want proper and affordable coverage for O&P services?
> > Advocate for and support regulation and seek out licensed providers for
> > your O&P needs.
> >
> > Practitioners, is your profession worthy of a license?
> > Advocate for and support regulation.
> >
> > Practitioners, do you want proper reimbursement for the comprehensive
> > O&P services that you provide?
> > Advocate for and support regulation.
> > Tony Barr
> > consumer
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: < <Email Address Redacted> >
> > To: < <Email Address Redacted> >
> > Sent: Saturday, April 27, 2002 11:03 AM
> > Subject: Re: [OANDP-L] initials
> >
> >
> > > What is the NEED for two certification programs? Would three, four, or
> > five
> > > certification programs give more protection to the consumer?
> > >
> > > In states there is ONE license for the barber, hairdresser, nurse,
> > doctor,
> > > lawyer, and in few states ONE license for the prosthetist and
> > orthotist to
> > > protect the public.
> > >
> > > Respectively asked,
> > >
> > > Al Pike, CP
> > >
> >