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Communication is a cornerstone of humanity—it's at the core of who we are and what we do. From the moment we enter this world, we start reaching out to others, making our needs known, and seeking comfort in a world shared by others who speak our language and understand us. As we continue on and strive to make connections for ourselves outside of our family circle, much of our success lies in our ability to communicate effectively.
Breakdowns in communication can result in confusion, missed opportunities, or, in the case of the healthcare provider, undesirable outcomes. Though each profession places a different emphasis on the importance of effective communication in its various forms—verbal, nonverbal, and written—the O&P clinician must be a skilled user of all forms of communication in order to excel. Whether it's communicating with a patient one-on-one or following up by phone or in writing, quality communication, among other things, can make the difference between compliance and non-compliance.
When dealing with the pediatric population, the barriers to successful communication compound. Not only is it necessary to make a connection with the patient, it's also critical to connect with his or her parents or guardians. In this issue of The O&P EDGE, we provide you with some practical tips for improving communication when dealing with parents of children with hip dysplasia.
In a professional setting, effective communication also requires a solid knowledge base from which to draw. This month's industry leader, Tom DiBello, CO, FAAOP, is helping to lay the groundwork for future generations of O&P clinicians not only by exposing residents in his facilities to the latest devices and treatment methodologies, but also by teaching them the importance of communication in the provision of quality patient care.
In this issue, we'll also show you some creative solutions that are helping patients with spina bifida be more mobile, as well as an innovative prosthosis solution that improved the mobility of pediatric patient with a Symes amputation.
In my opinion, one of the strengths of The O&P EDGE lies in the fact that we devote ourselves solely to telling the O&P story. Our ability to communicate effectively with you lies in our singular dedication to the O&P industry, its various professionals, and its patients. We are fortunate to have a talented and knowledgeable base of writers and editors on our staff who dedicate themselves every day to seeking out and telling your stories. Please e-mail me at and let me know how we're doing and what we can do to serve you even better in the issues to come.
