Importance of Credentials-why bother!! The solution is RESPECT!

Importance of Credentials-why bother!! The solution is RESPECT!

Kim

8/28/2003

Britt,

      Respect is the only solution to this problem.

     There are two key personality traits that determine the level of
respect a person usually receives.

      1.Character - the person you are when nobody else is around.
      2. Integrity - the ability to say no.

     The content of the first, and the absence or presence of the second
will predicate, more than anything else, the respect you do or don't
receive.

     Our profession, and ABC has failed to adequately elevate and preserve
these two traits. Ethical behavior is the very reason ABC was conceived in
the first place. Now before you think I'm picking on, or singling out this
organization, let me first say as professionals, we are not alone! Doctors,
therapists, and dentists all suffer from the same malady.

     If per chance you have read the AMA 2002-2003 publication, Code of
Medical Ethics (Current Opinions with Annotations) you will have no doubt
come across this section,

      9.031 Reporting Impaired, Incompetent or Unethical Colleagues.

      Physicians have an ethical obligation to report impaired,
incompetent, and unethical colleagues in accordance with the legal
requirements in each state and assisted by the following guidelines:

     Check your local state records for physician loss of license for any of
the above reasons. I trust the number you find will be shockingly small,
almost nonexistent. Why? It is probably one of three reasons.

     1. People who live in glass houses are afraid to throw stones.
     2. There but for the grace of God go I.
     3. Physicians are morally superior to the rest of society.

     What happened to physician's ethical obligation. I guarantee that
the public's respect for physicians is in decline. University enrollment is
dropping like a stone, and physicians are continuously exiting the
profession. The number one reason, they lack respect, personal or
professional. Without respect there is significant loss of professional
fulfillment and satisfaction. They allowed ethical compromise to creep in,
corrupting and calling in to question their character and integrity. All
this happened because they did not say No.

     I propose we have an ethical obligation to report impaired,
incompetent and unethical practitioners. As an ABC Certified Practitioner
in good standing I have done just that. I was told my word wasn't enough,
what really needed to be done was to have a patient's signed formal
complaint. Now I ask you who is more qualified to render a decision
concerning actual malpractice, myself or a patient? Who has an ethical
obligation to the profession, myself or the patient?

     Does ABC's hesitation stem from a fear of being sued for liable, or
simply fear of lost dues revenue?

     When there is no fear of reprisal people are apt to do whatever they
want with impunity. We must demonstrate as a profession that we merit and
deserve the public's trust and respect. We need to link arms with the
patient and other medical professionals and demand quality, ethical, patient
treatment. That means not tolerating those that would demean and degrade
this profession by whatever means, (ABC, BOC, or no credentials whatsoever).

     As professionals we need to collectively start exhibiting and
displaying excellence of character and integrity, then and only then will
we get our respect back.


Viva Respect,

Kim L. Ruhl CPO




----- Original Message -----
From: M. Britt Spears CPO < <Email Address Redacted> >
To: < <Email Address Redacted> >
Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2003 2:09 PM
Subject: [OANDP-L] Importance of Credentials-why bother!!


 Dear list,

 I've been very troubled lately by the lack of regard toward credentials. I
know that when I was enrolled in college, I wanted to be an ABC CPO because
I felt that was the best I could become in this field. Then came along the
FAAOP and I envied those practitioners because they went the next step above
what I was. I still desire to gain that, but on my next renewal
certificate-I'll wait.

 Several manufacturers- not only Ossur, have taken steps to insure that
credentials are of non-consequence. Some have actually said that certain
individuals are well trained because they have bought a certain amount of
their product or just taken their training course. Some manufacturers are
allowing their salespeople to fit items.

 The state of Florida, which has basically created the state licensure law
that the other states have followed, grandfathered a group of people into
their scheme and now as long as you have the LPO, LO or LP behind your name,
you're as qualified as anyone else with those letters behind their name. I'm
not starting the mudslide between BOC and ABC, I'm referring to
non-certified practitioners that gained the L whatever. That makes me very
uncomfortable.

 Now I finally realize how MD's must feel when an insurance company hires
someone off the street that has no education and can tell the MD that the
procedure they deem as unnecessary.

 My questions to the list are: What can be done to insure that our
credentials DO matter? How can we take back the streets so to speak? Should
we just be apologetic and say well that's the way it is and it'll probably
get worse and accept that?

 Thanks

 M. Britt Spears CPO
 Spears Prosthetics and Orthotics