Enhancing Patient Retention and Clinic Success

By Marins Med

For prosthetists, patient retention is not just about delivering a well-designed prosthesis; it’s about fostering a long-term relationship that ensures ongoing care and regular maintenance. One of the most significant factors influencing whether a patient continues to use their prosthesis or abandons it is comfort and functionality. As shown in the scoping review "Comfort and Function Remain Key Factors in Upper Limb Prosthetic Abandonment"conducted by Lauren C. Smail and colleagues from McMaster University, these two factors—comfort and function—remain at the forefront of reasons why upper limb prostheses are abandoned.

At Marins Med, we understand these challenges, which is why the ProHensor was specifically designed to address these critical pain points. The ProHensor aims to not only improve prosthetic acceptance but also foster a stronger, ongoing relationship between amputees and their prosthetists. This user-focused device offers several advantages for both clinics and patients, leading to a more predictable and sustainable practice.

The ProHensor: Reducing Abandonment Through Improved Functionality

Smail et al. identified that many patients abandon prosthetics due to poor functionality, particularly when control and sensory feedback are insufficient. Traditional body-powered devices often fail to meet users’ expectations of functionality, leading them to feel more capable without the device. The ProHensor addresses these concerns by incorporating a self-actuating locking mechanism, which increases the functionality with greater reliability and ease of use. This feature allows users to maintain their grip effortlessly, promoting ease of control during daily tasks, reducing fatigue and boosting overall prosthetic acceptance.

As patients become more comfortable with their prosthesis, regular follow-up visits are necessary to ensure the terminal device, and the overall prosthetic continues to meet their needs. The ProHensor’s design encourages routine check-ins due to the predictable maintenance required for the self-actuating locking system. The ProHensor offers serviceability in the field, ensuring that patients and their prosthetist can quickly address any performance issues. This allows prosthetists to monitor their patients’ progress, provide regular tune-ups, and ensure the long-term success of the prosthesis.

The high abandonment rates of prosthetic devices can lead to fewer follow-up visits and a weakened relationship between the patient and prosthetist. By increasing prosthetic acceptance, the ProHensor helps create long-term patient retention, translating to more predictable revenue through regular visits for adjustments and replacements over the lifetime of the prosthesis. Prosthetists can expect timely replacements of key components, particularly the self-actuating locking mechanism, which is designed for regular maintenance.

Moreover, with a high rate of prosthetic abandonment linked to discomfort, the ProHensor’s user-centric design and predictable maintenance visits can help address concerns before them become an abandonment of the device. Clinics that integrate the ProHensor into their offerings are likely to see improved patient satisfaction, and a strengthened relationship with the prosthetist. 

As highlighted in the scoping review "Comfort and Function Remain Key Factors in Upper Limb Prosthetic Abandonment", "Findings from this review can be used to guide future prosthetic device development to improve these areas of concern and satisfy user needs." By offering the ProHensor, your clinic can be at the forefront of this movement, providing a solution that not only meets patients’ needs but fosters a strong, lasting relationship between the patient and their prosthetist.

By committing to a device that promotes regular maintenance and follow-up care, your clinic can build a predictable model of patient retention and increase the lifetime value of your patients—all while offering a superior product that encourages prosthetic acceptance and reduces abandonment.

Acknowledgment: We extend our gratitude to Lauren C. Smail and her research team for their insightful study, "Comfort and Function Remain Key Factors in Upper Limb Prosthetic Abandonment". Their work has significantly informed our understanding of prosthetic needs and continues to guide the development of advanced solutions like the ProHensor to ensure better patient outcomes and satisfaction.