Reputation?

The most successful prosthetic practices in our country today are staffed by prosthetists who enjoy outstanding reputations. These professionals have earned their reputations by providing exceptional patient care. They make patient service a high priority; they develop good working relationships with their patients; and they choose products based upon putting their patients' needs first.

In fact, prosthetists with the best reputations do not choose products based primarily on cost. They are willing to use products that they consider to be the most appropriate and will help the patient lead a better quality of life. They do not let reimbursement limit product selection. They help their patients gain access to those products by working with them through the insurance process. And some have even gone the extra mile to help them try to get alternative funding through local community resources.

So how can you go about building your practice and reputation? First, be sure you are providing good service. Ask every patient you see to fill out a "satisfaction survey" form. Be sure to ask specific questions about your service, your staff, as well as the componentry. Second, reach out to the local/professional community to develop a positive relationship with amputees, other prosthetists, orthopedic surgeons, physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians, and physical therapists.

And finally, retain control of your product decisions. Prosthetists need to play a primary role in the decision-making process. Although it is important to collaborate with your patients, the decision rests with you. After all, you have the professional training and expertise to decide what is appropriate for your patient. Otherwise, there is a greater risk of patient dissatisfaction, and you may lose that patient. It takes years and years to build a good reputation. It only takes a few episodes of patient dissatisfaction to ruin that reputation. Remember that the prosthetic marketplace is relatively small—there are a limited number of patients.