LEVERAGING DIGITAL WORKFLOWS TO TRANSITION THE ORTHOTICS AND PROSTHETICS PROFESSION TOWARD A CLIENT-CENTRIC AND VALUES-BASED CARE MODEL

Abstract

The orthotics and prosthetics (O&P) profession has a history of responding to market demands in a reactive rather than proactive manner. This has created significant impacts including shrinkage in scope of practice and constraint in remuneration for professional services due to a fee-for-device third party payer system.  Rapid changes in technology and healthcare combined with an outdated device-centric reimbursement system are creating unprecedented challenges that threaten sustainability of the O&P profession. Hence, a reassessment of the value of O&P care, and the O&P workflow process is necessary to inform an update to the value proposition and practice model for sustainability. This article reviews key factors contributing to the current state of O&P, and potential solutions involving an update in practitioner competencies, and the care delivery model (from device-centric to client-centric and values-based). Updates could be achieved by leveraging the use of digital workflows that increase efficiencies and enhance the value of clinical outcomes. Eventually, these updates could enable the O&P profession to elevate the value proposition that aligns with its most important stakeholders: client-patients and third-party reimbursement agencies in a rapidly changing technology and healthcare landscape. Article PDF Link: https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/cpoj/article/view/42221/32301 How To Cite: Hovorka C.F. Leveraging digital workflows to transition the Orthotics and Prosthetics profession toward a client-centric and values-based care model. Canadian Prosthetics & Orthotics Journal. 2023; Volume 6, Issue 2, No.6. https://doi.org/10.33137/cpoj.v6i2.42221 Corresponding Author: Christopher F. Hovorka, PhD, CPO, FAAOPCenter for the Intrepid, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, TX, USA.E-Mail: hovorkac@gmail.comORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7147-3134