Hi all

Jeanette raised an interesting issue earlier about what our profession
is/should be called. The United States Lactation Consultant Association
(USLCA) ran a survey last year to get members' opinions on our name and what
it might mean to change it. The original article is here:

http://www.uslcaonline.org/news/April2007.pdf

And the followup analysis of the survey is here:

http://www.uslcaonline.org/documents/June2007.pdf

This was basically a thought exercise, not a "vote on which one you like
best so we can change" exercise. 

It does provide interesting food for thought!

Melissa Vickers, IBCLC
USLCA eNews Editor


Date:    Wed, 25 Jun 2008 07:31:16 -0700
From:    Jeanette Panchula <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: What's in a name?

I had an interesting viewpoint given to me by a physician we were
approaching about getting IBCLCs reimbursed via health insurance (this is a
US issue, so those of you not of the US may find it boring)...

When we discussed reimbursement for "International Board Certified Lactation
Consultants" he indicated hesitation - and after further discussion (open
ended questions...acceptance...etc...) we learned that the term "consultant"
in HIS view refers to physicians he "consults with" who are specialists in
their medical-related field - neurologists, radiologists, etc.  

He is more comfortable using the term "therapists" in regards to specialists
who address issues such as speech therapy, Physical therapy or occupational
therapy.

I know that in the 80's when the discussion was what to call us - there was
a deliberate moving away from that term "therapy" and thus the choice
"consultant".  I am not asking for us to be re-named at this late date -
however, we need to know what a barrier this CAN be for us - and work on
ways to address it rather than a "get over it" attitude which will not win
us friends or influence!

Jeanette Panchula, BSW, RN, PHN, IBCLC
California, USA

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