Re: Review/Study of the Effects of O&P Licensure

Re: Review/Study of the Effects of O&P Licensure

Ralph Nobbe

8/20/2004

Perhaps the recent AOPA business survey could be used as a starting point
for assessment? Look at profitability and performance of facilities in
licensed vs. non-licensed states? Perhaps other data licensure related
performance data could also be gleaned from this report? Don't recall all
the questions and info AOPA was requesting, but it might be a place to
start.

Ralph W. Nobbe, CPO
President
Nobbe Orthopedics, Inc.
<Email Address Redacted>



-----Original Message-----
From: Orthotics and Prosthetics List [mailto:<Email Address Redacted>] On
Behalf Of Sam E. Hamontree
Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2004 11:04 AM
To: <Email Address Redacted>
Subject: [OANDP-L] Review/Study of the Effects of O&P Licensure


Licensure of orthotists and prosthetists (and possibly facilities in some
states) has been in effect for a number of years now. From its proponents
we continually hear and read about the benefits of licensure (governmental
regulations of providers) to patients, to some extent O&P companies, and to
the public in general. These benefits, as stated, are somewhat like
motherhood -- who could argue with them. Let me assure you, I am not
arguing with nor taking issue with those stated benefits nor with the
proponents of licensure.

My question however is: Is it time to ask the question and to study/measure
in some manner the true effect O&P licensure has had in the individual
states in which it is in effect? Such questions as the following could be
included along with others: For Patients 1. Is it living up to its stated
benefits? 2. Have patients truly received benefits? -- If so, can they be
identified/quantified? 3. Have patient care/services improved from
licensure? -- If so, can such be identified/quantified?

For Practitioners
1. What has been the pro's and the con's?
2. Has it affected how you provide patient care/services? If so, how? 3.
Has it affected your ability to provide care/services? If so, how? 4. Has
it affected your ability to relocate to another state?

For Facilities
1. What has been the effect on facilities?
2. Has it had a favorable or unfavorable effect on the ability to provide
quality and timely patient care/services? -- for either: Can such be
identified/quantified? 3. Has it limited the ability to recruit qualified
professional staff? -- If so, how: can such be identified/quantified.

I am sure that others could significantly improve on these questions and
develop others which are more meaningful.

It is my feeling that it is time for this question to be asked/studied. This
is not intended to be either pro licensure nor negative toward licensure.

It just seems that something so important in orthotics and prosthetics
should not continue to be accepted without question and without study. If
any idea or concept is worth its being, it will certainly stand up to review
and study.

Certainly if it is proven to have a measurable positive effect on patient
care/services and their delivery, such would be highly advantageous in
obtaining licensure in other states.

I would suggest a study be developed and conducted by an UNBIASED entity or
entities. What about the Academy, AOPA, ABC -- possibly a study group among
the three. It just seems that we have had licensure long enough that it is
worthy of evaluation.

COULD WE POSSIBLY KEEP THIS DISCUSSION, AT THIS TIME, LIMITED TO THE PRO'S &
CON'S OF A STUDY/REVIEW --- THE NEED FOR -- OR LACK THEREOF? PLEASE, LET'S
NOT START DEBATING LICENSURE ITSELF AS RELATED TO THIS POSTING.


        Respectfully, Sam E. Hamontree, CP