Are Prosthetists who Become Managers Trained and Prepared for their Role - Assignment Example

A study of this profile reveals the wide ranging activities included in the job description of category I professionals which also has a generous input of managerial and developmental roles. The profile includes: "Patient care (comprised of duties in Formulation of treatment Fitting, fabrication and treatment and Evaluation and follow-up); Training and education; Community services; Research and development and Medical, legal and ethical requirements"(Information,1997).Apart from these strictly operational duties which also include some developmental activities like training, community services and research and development ;the profile includes one of the most important function as that relating to Management and supervision and the same is stated to cover: "Supervising the activity of supporting staff as appropriate; Managing clinical and laboratory/workshop activities assigned to them( to include : use and maintenance of tools and equipment, maintenance of safe working environment and procedures, inventory and stock control, personnel matters, financial matters, appropriate record keeping and total quality management);devising improved job methods for increasing efficiency; interacting with professional groups and, where appropriate, governmental and nongovernmental agencies and taking part in planning and implementation of technical orthopaedic care systems".

(Information,1997).This function of category I professionals distinguishes them from other categories and illustrates the fact that the management function not only includes supervision of the subordinate staff but entire planning and strategizing the success of the operations left under their charge. All major themes of management i.e. finance,operations,personnel and marketing impinge on this function and for the success of a prosthetists as manager an in-depth understanding of these concepts not only from the theoretical point of view but also from a practitioner's point of view 

becomes critical. Total quality management, improving efficiency and staff and self motivation become important managerial objectives. The overriding issues to be considered in pursuance of these are: leadership inputs required in O&P environments, motivational issues in O&P settings, devising a total patients' care system, Licensing of O&P professionals, new technology and futuristic directions in O&P and legal and ethical issues. These issues are taken up in paragraphs that follow.

Leadership Issues in O&P

        Management literature is rife with definition and role of leaders. This paper holds the view that management and leadership are distinct functions and require distinct capabilities; however in aspiring prosthetists' these need to be combined as part of their training.