Choosing a Prosthetist? 5 Tips to Help You Find the Right One
Choosing a Prosthetist is an important decision to make and it requires patience, a bit of research, and making sure all your questions are answered before signing off. If you need a Prosthetist, you've come to the right place to find out what you should know and ask before selecting one.
A busy Prosthetist is a good Prosthetist
As people say, if you want something done give it to a busy person. The busy-ness of a Prosthetist is often a good indicator of their quality of care. Being busy means they have a lot of patients and that they’re able to get things done. Of course, you must make sure that your schedule aligns with theirs, but a sought-after Prosthetist often means they're good at what they do. A Prosthetist will not stay busy for long providing inadequate delayed care.
Establish a connection with your Prosthetist
Living with a prosthesis is as much an emotional journey as it is a physical one; this is why connecting emotionally with your Prosthetist is important. Choose one who will take the time to answer questions and won't require you to censor yourself when you explain your needs and circumstances. Choose a Prosthetist who will not only treat you like a person, but one who will treat you with the utmost respect and care as well.
Playing it safe isn't always the best way to go
There are instances when a Prosthetist may have a "cookie cutter mentality" – boxing patients into generic categories. Test this by asking your future Prosthetist which foot would best suit your needs. If they don’t ask you supplementary questions and give a response that seems canned, you may be talking to someone who may not be innovative or isn't making it a point to select components according to your specific needs. Find someone who asks you as many questions as you might ask them.
Are they updated on new technology?
An effective Prosthetist never stops learning. Do your own research and ask the right questions to make sure your future Prosthetist does exactly that. If they are updated on the latest innovations, techniques and components, they'll be able to help you should you need a more developed prosthesis in the future.
Choose an accessible prosthetist
Emergencies are inevitable, so it's important to get a Prosthetist who's easily accessible in terms of location and contact. Choose someone who's easy to reach; you can never tell when you might need their assistance immediately.
Asking the right questions and doing your own research will help you choose the best Prosthetist for you. Remember that you may need to devote a fair bit of time to the selection process. However, with some time and effort, you’ll be sure to find a Prosthetist that could turn out to be your lifelong partner in this chapter of your life.
