ABC/BOC Unification
Jim DeWees
Description
Collection
Title:
ABC/BOC Unification
Creator:
Jim DeWees
Date:
3/5/2004
Text:
For what it is worth,
I have been quiet too long, I have sent many emails to other members on this
listserve privately but feel a public post is due.
I called ABC this morning to ask what is needed for a BOC practitioner to
join ABC and get their credentials. I was shocked, for a mere $75 and proof
of their BOC credential, they are now instantly considered as an equal. Why
did I just have to pay hundreds of dollars for my renewal and then ABC
waives the dues for a BOC practioner. I had to pay $250 for my application,
along with $1100 to take the exams, travel expenses, etc. Now it is worth
$75 and no exam.
In Lance's last email, he went on about how BOC is inferior to ABC, and
insinuates that BOC practitioners are not as trained as ABC, but with the
unification the standards will be raised, etc. But now, after stating how
inferior they are, invite them to join our ranks, pay the $75 and get the
ABC credential, and they will be a better practitioner.
During the phone conversation with ABC this morning, the woman there said
the alternate pathway will be in place, but it would be doubtful that anyone
choosing that path could pass the exam. I was shocked by that approach,
make it an valid pathway, but hope that anyone that chooses that pathway
will not be able to make it. Just another example of the thought process
(or lack of thought process) at ABC.
I then went to the ABC website and looked it over again, just to see if it
has been updated lately, and it has not, at least not in any major,
noticeable way.
One major change needed for the the website: The highest educational
requirements needs to be taken out, and replaced with A GED and $75 will
get you a credential, nothing more. Basically everything on the website is
totally invalid at this time. There is a huge part of the website
explaining the classes and course requirements for ABC. None of that
matters now.
I have tried in my area of the country to educate doctors and therapists
about the benefits of ABC practitioners. For the most part, the
practitioners in this area are BOC or not certified at all. I have
explained the training, education, residency, etc. to many health care
providers in this area, and what ABC stands for. Many of them were not
aware of the difference, and others didn't even know about ABC or BOC. I
have tried for a few years now to impress to the medical community the
importance of education and training in this field, and that is what ABC
stands for. Now I will have to re-educate them all, and explain to them
that ABC means nothing at all, no educational standards that are in force,
no guarantee to the patient or the referral sources that we are qualified.
They will have to ask each individual practitioner what his/her background
is and then decide.
I don't understand how yesterday a BOC practitioner was unqualified, and
inferior, etc., but $75 later they are automatically more qualified
overnight.
I also feel, as many others have stated, that I have been sold out by my
credentialling organization. The letters behind my name mean absolutely
nothing anymore, it is not a mark of excellence or a mark of educational
pursuit, or whatever it used to mean.
I have several friends that are BOC certified, and I don't mean to insultor
offend anyone with this email. This decision from ABC is very shocking, but
what do we expect from them? I have yet to be impressed with anything that
ABC has done or published.
The worst part of this is that I chose to go into this field the ABC way. I
paid the money, took the classes, sacrificed many things to get my
credentials. But what is it all worth now? Not much, basically $75. What
an insult from Lance Hoaxie and his crew in the main office.
I feel that ABC owes us a good explanation about what is really going on,
but why should they tell us anything. After all, I didn't vote for any of
them, did you? Can we do a recall election?
Jim DeWees, CP (not that it means anything anymore)
_________________________________________________________________
Get a FREE online computer virus scan from McAfee when you click here.
<URL Redacted>
I have been quiet too long, I have sent many emails to other members on this
listserve privately but feel a public post is due.
I called ABC this morning to ask what is needed for a BOC practitioner to
join ABC and get their credentials. I was shocked, for a mere $75 and proof
of their BOC credential, they are now instantly considered as an equal. Why
did I just have to pay hundreds of dollars for my renewal and then ABC
waives the dues for a BOC practioner. I had to pay $250 for my application,
along with $1100 to take the exams, travel expenses, etc. Now it is worth
$75 and no exam.
In Lance's last email, he went on about how BOC is inferior to ABC, and
insinuates that BOC practitioners are not as trained as ABC, but with the
unification the standards will be raised, etc. But now, after stating how
inferior they are, invite them to join our ranks, pay the $75 and get the
ABC credential, and they will be a better practitioner.
During the phone conversation with ABC this morning, the woman there said
the alternate pathway will be in place, but it would be doubtful that anyone
choosing that path could pass the exam. I was shocked by that approach,
make it an valid pathway, but hope that anyone that chooses that pathway
will not be able to make it. Just another example of the thought process
(or lack of thought process) at ABC.
I then went to the ABC website and looked it over again, just to see if it
has been updated lately, and it has not, at least not in any major,
noticeable way.
One major change needed for the the website: The highest educational
requirements needs to be taken out, and replaced with A GED and $75 will
get you a credential, nothing more. Basically everything on the website is
totally invalid at this time. There is a huge part of the website
explaining the classes and course requirements for ABC. None of that
matters now.
I have tried in my area of the country to educate doctors and therapists
about the benefits of ABC practitioners. For the most part, the
practitioners in this area are BOC or not certified at all. I have
explained the training, education, residency, etc. to many health care
providers in this area, and what ABC stands for. Many of them were not
aware of the difference, and others didn't even know about ABC or BOC. I
have tried for a few years now to impress to the medical community the
importance of education and training in this field, and that is what ABC
stands for. Now I will have to re-educate them all, and explain to them
that ABC means nothing at all, no educational standards that are in force,
no guarantee to the patient or the referral sources that we are qualified.
They will have to ask each individual practitioner what his/her background
is and then decide.
I don't understand how yesterday a BOC practitioner was unqualified, and
inferior, etc., but $75 later they are automatically more qualified
overnight.
I also feel, as many others have stated, that I have been sold out by my
credentialling organization. The letters behind my name mean absolutely
nothing anymore, it is not a mark of excellence or a mark of educational
pursuit, or whatever it used to mean.
I have several friends that are BOC certified, and I don't mean to insultor
offend anyone with this email. This decision from ABC is very shocking, but
what do we expect from them? I have yet to be impressed with anything that
ABC has done or published.
The worst part of this is that I chose to go into this field the ABC way. I
paid the money, took the classes, sacrificed many things to get my
credentials. But what is it all worth now? Not much, basically $75. What
an insult from Lance Hoaxie and his crew in the main office.
I feel that ABC owes us a good explanation about what is really going on,
but why should they tell us anything. After all, I didn't vote for any of
them, did you? Can we do a recall election?
Jim DeWees, CP (not that it means anything anymore)
_________________________________________________________________
Get a FREE online computer virus scan from McAfee when you click here.
<URL Redacted>
Citation
Jim DeWees, “ABC/BOC Unification,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 6, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/222599.
