There has been questions as to whether J. Davis is who he says he is ... but they have been resolved by the moderator of the list serve.

The note from Paul Prusakowski clarifying this is as follows:

Dear Subscribers, Please be advised that Dr. Davis is a legitimate practicing orthopedic surgeon. His opinion is to be respected and he has requested that I ask you all to respect his business and his time. He is very busy and he has no desire to get involved with our industry politics.

My first thought, however, is ... gee ... do you think he's talking about us??

I think I have a good shot at being the patient described as having " unfettered access ... to attack and criticize fellow practitioners within the prosthetic and orthotic industry."

It is interesting that the copy on the bottom of the posts says "OANDP-L is a forum for the discussion of topics related to Orthotics and Prosthetics".

I think that those critical issues that are impacting the Orthotics and Prosthetics industry should be a defined focus!

Dan

----------------
Daniel Gottry
dan@gottrys.com
480-491-1020
Visit: www.gottrys.com


================
ORIGINAL POST TO O/P LIST SERVE:

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

posted by Daniel Gottry at 9:06 AM   

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