Is Our Industry losing the battle?

Is Our Industry losing the battle?

Marmaduke Loke, C.P.O.

Dear Professionals,

It is my belief; the real underlying issue here is we have not established
quantifiable outcomes as the standard of care for our profession. We cannot
prove our services are any better than any others; we left the door open with
the light on. The ABC certified practitioners are better educated in P&O and
should be able to reflect that in their meaningful & quantifiable outcomes.
We are in a medical associated profession that is mechanically based. Our
outcomes should be based on sound mechanical science.

In scoliosis care there is a history of quantifiable outcomes, but only
because it is physician driven. If the profession is to survive and gain
respect as a profession, we must quantify our outcomes and raise the
standards of care. We must prove what we do is better. Our patients/clients
will truly appreciate our efforts, because we will increase value to them.

Is our industry losing the battle? Yes, but if we define what the real issues
are and do what professionals should do, there is plenty of HOPE!

Marmaduke Loke, CPO




In a message dated 4/23/03 6:18:36 AM, <Email Address Redacted> writes:

<< Jeff:


I think you're way off base here. The only reason for diminished respect for

the profession of Orthotics or Prosthetics is the FACT that BOC

practitioners refused the follow the terms of the settlement. YOU CAN'T call

yourself: BOCP and other BOC practitioners CAN'T call themselves BOCO, BOCP

or BOCPO. BOC is restricted from using any form of the acronyms of ABC i.e.,

CO, CP, CPO. After the court battle the ABC was too much of a weasel to

enforce the ruling. THUS YOUR BOC CREATED CONFUSION AMONGST in the O&P

community AND GAVE PT, OT & ATC the idea they could expand their area of

expertise without recrimination.


Bob Brown, CPO, FAAOP

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-----Original Message-----

From: Orthotics and Prosthetics List [mailto:<Email Address Redacted>]On Behalf

Of Rick E. Sevier

Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2003 8:50 PM

To: <Email Address Redacted>

Subject: [OANDP-L] Is Our Industry losing the battle?


----- Original Message -----

From: jkarnette

To: Rick E. Sevier

Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2003 3:46 AM

Subject: PLease send this in the loop





I am Jeff Arnette, CO,BOCP,LPO There ought to be a few other letters

somewhere I could add. Our industry lost the battle of services in 1984 when

ABC decide to sue BOC. It was in this year that the national association of

Physical therapist changed there practice act to include the ability to fit

and deliver orthotic and prosthetic devices. This is not a dramatic jump

since they were already instructing on use and donning of these type of

devices. This is set forth through the plan of care that they are required

to establish prior to the provision of services. This is also true for

Occupational Therapist and Athletic Trainers (ATC).


I agree with many that there needs to be some changes in our educational

process. But do not agree that a doctorate is the answer as an owner with

diminishing payables on the horizon such as bidding from Medicare which is

the natural result from the VA bidding that they would only accept bids off

the Medicare fee schedule. We as an industry could not afford this person.

It would increase the debts of students and loss in number of practioners

over time.


My personal recommendation is that we look at combining the division of

rehab practices and make specialties of them. This would do three things:


1. It would prevent practice seepage from other programs into a defined

field of practice.


2. It would increases the legislative war chest.


3. It would unify the industry into one voice for dominance.


This is the process that would be required:


1. One industry has to be the umbrella industry.


2. Set up a coalition round table of

Phisiaristris,PT,OT,OTC,ABC,BOCP,Pedorthics, Pharmacist,NOMA


3. Redefine the educational process to allow industry training.


If we don't do this I give our industry 10 years and one of the other types

of rehab practices will end our monopoly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...........


Sincerely,


Jeff Arnette CO, BOCP, LPO


NOTE: Please respond to <Email Address Redacted>


CEO POPS


www.oklahomaoandp.com >>