Prosthetics & Orthotics List Serve OpEd
j davis
Description
Collection
Title:
Prosthetics & Orthotics List Serve OpEd
Creator:
j davis
Date:
10/18/2006
Text:
I was asked by a practitioner that attends one of my ortho clinics to
provide my opinion on discussions and postings on this industry supported
list serve. I have been forwarded messages from this site for the past
few weeks. After providing my opinion to this practitioner, he asked if I
would forward my comments directly to this message board. I am on call
tonight with some time to spare, so I will share my observations as
requested, brief and to the point.
According to the web site, “The forum has been endorsed by the
International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) and the
American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP).” If this is in
fact true, than I have grave concerns and trepidation for this industry
if this represents the professionalism and integrity of the industry and
science of prosthetics and orthotics. It is my interpretation as I read
many postings that they are nothing more than abusive rhetoric with the
sole purpose to attack various groups and organizations, I find it
disturbing that a national and international organization would endorse
such behavior.
This site declares it is moderated, but it appears that the moderator is
prone to promoting a particular one sided agenda and is making little
effort to screen or moderate or mediate the postings. Majority of
postings are long detailed berating sermons to demonize one company or
group. What is most disturbing is that there are no facts or validation
to confirm any of the postings; it is all opinion and conjecture. I
suggest that this is not the stuff that a professional organization is
made of.
The site also declares that “The forum is NOT intended for commercial
advertising”, yet a majority of the postings are blatant advertising for
various companies and groups to promote their agendas, association,
contracting and/or purchasing groups. There appear to be numerous self
serving agendas being promoted which is again, not the stuff that defines
a professional orgainzation.
What is most surprising of all however is that this site allows
unfettered access for patient’s to attack and criticize fellow
practitioners within the prosthetic and orthotic industry. This is
appalling behavior and an embarrassing way for supposed professionals to
treat one another.
To summarize, the e-mails I have reviewed from this site are distressing
and disappointing. If this industry endorsed site represents the quality
and caliber of the professionalism of this industry nationwide, than this
industry is in dire straights and in for a very rude awakening as the
health care industry changes and grows.
As a group you may want to ask yourselves the reason that the prosthetic
and orthotic industry is being encroached by other allied health
professionals and being pressured by government agencies and the
insurance industry. Perhaps it is a reflection on the way you treat each
other within your own industry, if you do not treat each other within
your own industry with respect and dignity, how can you possibly expect
those outside the industry to do the same. I thank you for the
opportunity to share my insights and opinions.
J. Davis, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Denver, Colorado
--
Search for products and services at:
<URL Redacted>
provide my opinion on discussions and postings on this industry supported
list serve. I have been forwarded messages from this site for the past
few weeks. After providing my opinion to this practitioner, he asked if I
would forward my comments directly to this message board. I am on call
tonight with some time to spare, so I will share my observations as
requested, brief and to the point.
According to the web site, “The forum has been endorsed by the
International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) and the
American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP).” If this is in
fact true, than I have grave concerns and trepidation for this industry
if this represents the professionalism and integrity of the industry and
science of prosthetics and orthotics. It is my interpretation as I read
many postings that they are nothing more than abusive rhetoric with the
sole purpose to attack various groups and organizations, I find it
disturbing that a national and international organization would endorse
such behavior.
This site declares it is moderated, but it appears that the moderator is
prone to promoting a particular one sided agenda and is making little
effort to screen or moderate or mediate the postings. Majority of
postings are long detailed berating sermons to demonize one company or
group. What is most disturbing is that there are no facts or validation
to confirm any of the postings; it is all opinion and conjecture. I
suggest that this is not the stuff that a professional organization is
made of.
The site also declares that “The forum is NOT intended for commercial
advertising”, yet a majority of the postings are blatant advertising for
various companies and groups to promote their agendas, association,
contracting and/or purchasing groups. There appear to be numerous self
serving agendas being promoted which is again, not the stuff that defines
a professional orgainzation.
What is most surprising of all however is that this site allows
unfettered access for patient’s to attack and criticize fellow
practitioners within the prosthetic and orthotic industry. This is
appalling behavior and an embarrassing way for supposed professionals to
treat one another.
To summarize, the e-mails I have reviewed from this site are distressing
and disappointing. If this industry endorsed site represents the quality
and caliber of the professionalism of this industry nationwide, than this
industry is in dire straights and in for a very rude awakening as the
health care industry changes and grows.
As a group you may want to ask yourselves the reason that the prosthetic
and orthotic industry is being encroached by other allied health
professionals and being pressured by government agencies and the
insurance industry. Perhaps it is a reflection on the way you treat each
other within your own industry, if you do not treat each other within
your own industry with respect and dignity, how can you possibly expect
those outside the industry to do the same. I thank you for the
opportunity to share my insights and opinions.
J. Davis, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Denver, Colorado
--
Search for products and services at:
<URL Redacted>
Citation
j davis, “Prosthetics & Orthotics List Serve OpEd,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 2, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/227512.
