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American Academy of Ophthalmology Web Site: www.aao.org
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Academy Notebook |
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What’s Happening FYI Academy Store Meeting Matters Washington Report Members at Large Foundation Celebrates Its 25th Anniversary In honor of its 25th anniversary, the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology has launched a new Web site (see www.faao. org) and advertising campaign (check EyeNet and Ophthalmology throughout this year). Established in 1980, the Foundation has worked diligently to fund and implement programs that advance ophthalmic education and patient care. These programs include the following: The Academy Education Fund. This program supports research and the development of educational products and services that expedite the transfer of critical ophthalmic knowledge to ophthalmologists. International Assistance. In many parts of the world, there are not enough trained professionals to provide quality eye care services. The Foundation provides free Academy educational materials to training programs in developing countries. It also provides ophthalmologists in those regions with opportunities to take courses at the Academy’s Annual Meeting. EyeCare America. A corps of 7,500 volunteer ophthalmologists provides eye care services to the medically underserved and to those who are particularly at risk for eye disease. ECA programs focus on glaucoma, diabetes, seniors and children. Since 1985, these programs have helped more than 700,000 people. Ophthalmic Heritage & the Museum of Vision. Ophthalmology and the Academy have played important roles in the history of medicine. The Foundation’s Museum of Vision preserves this history and translates it into an educational resource for use by Academy members, medical historians, researchers and the public as they seek to understand ophthalmology’s contributions to society and address similar challenges today and in the future. The Foundation would like to recognize those individuals, foundations and corporations that have supported its work and mission over the last 25 years. For more information, visit www.faao.org. A Bicentennial of Eye Care at Moorfields In 1804, trachoma was reaching epidemic proportions in England. It had been brought back from Egypt by British troops who had been fighting against Napoleon’s army. The spread of trachoma prompted John Cunningham Saunders and colleagues to open the London Dispensary for Curing Diseases of the Eye and Ear in early 1805. Now known as Moorfields Eye Hospital, the institute celebrates its bicentennial this month. It is holding a four-day scientific conference to coincide with the date that patients first crossed its threshold (March 16–19) and plans additional events throughout the year. To find out more, visit www.oic.it/moorfields2005.
Mantenga Su Vista: Monthly Campaigns Are Now Bilingual Throughout the year, the Eye M.D. monthly observances provide you with an opportunity to educate the public about eye health and safety. Free campaign materials now include English- and Spanish-language patient handouts and posters. Upcoming campaigns include Sports Eye Safety Month (April), Healthy Vision Month (May), Fireworks Eye Safety Month (June) and UV Safety Month (July). For more information, or to download free materials, visit www.aao.org/eyemd. For One Week in May, Participate in the Eye Injury Snapshot Project For a one-week period, May 15–22, the Academy is asking all ophthalmologists, ophthalmology residents and emergency room physicians to report every eye injury treated. The data will provide insight into the nature and prevalence of ocular injuries. It will also be used to build public awareness and promote eye safety. For more information, visit www.aao.org/snapshot. Get Your Ethics CME for the Maintenance of Certification Process The American Board of Ophthalmology states, “All Diplomates participating in MOC must obtain an average of 30 category 1 CME credits per year . . . Three CME credits must be in ethics.” Is it hard to get your ethics CME? Not really. The Academy’s ethics program offers several ways to do so:
For additional information, contact the Ethics department by e-mail, ethics@ aao.org, phone, 888-393-3671 or fax, 415-561-8595. Update Your Membership Listing Ensure that information printed in the next membership directory and published online at Find an Eye M.D. is complete and accurate by going online to review and update your listing. Go to www.aao.org, select “Member Services” and choose “Update Your Membership Listing.” The membership directory and Find an Eye M.D. are valuable resources for patient referrals, as well as an indispensable tool for colleagues who wish to keep in touch with you. Any questions? Please contact Member Services by phone, 888-393-3671 (toll-free) or 415-561-8581, or e-mail, member_services @aao.org.
What’s New in Neuro-Ophthalmology? At the Academy’s Joint Meeting in New Orleans, leading neuro-ophthalmologists presented the latest developments in their field as part of the Lifelong Education for the Ophthalmologist (LEO) clinical update course series. Those presentations are now available on CD-ROM. By viewing these courses—which combine slides, text, video and audio exactly as originally presented—you can maintain competency without leaving your office or home. High-quality image magnification and a rapid search function make them a convenient resource for everyday use. LEO Clinical Update Course on Neuro-Ophthalmology (Product #0212298) covers new diagnostic techniques in electrophysiology and neuroimaging, and new treatment strategies for a variety of neuro-ophthalmic conditions, particularly optic neuropathies. This CD-ROM carries up to 3 hours of category 1 CME credit and costs $149 for members and $179 for nonmembers. To order a CD-ROM, visit www.aao.org/store or phone the Academy Service Center at 888-393-3671. Six New Resources to Educate Your Patients Patient education tools from the Academy can help your patients understand their conditions and reinforce what you tell them in your office. Several new products are now available:
To buy Patient Education products, phone the Academy Service Center at 888-393-3671 (toll-free) or 415-561-8500, fax 415-561-8575 or go online at www.aao.org/store.
Last Call for Abstracts The abstract submission deadline is April 12 for scientific exhibits, papers/posters and videos. If you plan to submit a video, the Academy needs your abstract by April 12 and your actual videotape no later than April 29. Submissions for instruction courses and labs closed on Jan. 11. Abstracts must be submitted online at www.aao. org. Be sure to download the guidelines before making your submission. For additional information, send an e-mail to meetings@aao.org or phone 415-447-0343. International Attendees Most visitors to the United States will require a visitor visa upon entry. Secure a visitor’s visa through the U.S. Department of State. You are advised to apply as early as possible. Visit the Academy’s Web site to learn about the latest developments and to personalize a letter of invitation that will assist you in your visa process. For more information, go to www.aao.org/annual_ meeting and select “Visa Information.” Keynote Speaker: “How Will Genomics Impact Eye Care?” Breakthroughs in the field of genomics, particularly the sequencing of the human genome, will improve understanding of the role of genetic factors in eye disease and allow a more precise definition of the nongenetic factors involved. How will these advances be applied to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of eye disease? Francis D. Collins, MD, PhD, director of the NIH’s National Human Genome Research Institute, will share his insights when he gives the keynote speech at this year’s Opening Session.
Surgery by Surgeons In 2004, ophthalmology drew a line in the sand. Faced with a VA directive allowing optometrists to perform laser eye surgery, organized medicine—led by the Academy—came together with unprecedented unity and waged an all-out battle to protect our nation’s veterans. A successful coalition. Though the controversy raged on throughout 2004, it was a year destined to end in triumph for our patients and profession thanks to a well-organized and well-funded alliance. The Academy has many to thank for this victory:
With this impressive coalition behind the Academy, the VA ultimately repealed its policy allowing optometric laser surgery. A continuing challenge. It was a decisive victory for veterans and patients, but a similar challenge to patient safety persists in Oklahoma. This state remains the frontline in ophthalmology’s ongoing battle for high-quality eye care, and optometry continually threatens to open other fronts. Optometry is pushing for surgical scope expansion in state legislatures across America. The Academy is poised to work with state ophthalmological societies to derail any bills that imperil patient safety. The past year’s events stand as a lesson to us all. If we are to protect our patients and profession, we must get involved politically. Complacency is no longer an option. We’ve seen what can happen when we start down that slippery slope. Together, physicians can protect the citizens of Oklahoma and the rest of the nation. What You Can Do. The Academy’s Surgical Scope Fund allows Eye M.D.s to band together in the battle over quality eye care. Last year, it was used to inject the concept of “Surgery by Surgeons” into campaigns across Oklahoma. As a result, many new legislators who took their seats in January will be more receptive to concerns about patient care. Visit www.aao.org/ssf to make a secure online contribution.
Iraqi Physicians Tackle the Fundamentals of Organized Medicine At the request of the U.S. Army Medical Corps, the Academy’s International Envoy Michael W. Brennan, MD, has been working with Iraqi physicians to help them develop representative, self-sustaining medical societies. Who sets the standards for accreditation, licensure and certification? Physicians in Iraq are seizing the opportunity to get directly involved. In late January, Dr. Brennan sent this update: While Gallup Polls have established the American public’s preference for licensed certified physicians, the Iraqi public has been preoccupied with preferences for elected governance and the rule of law. Fortunately, Iraqi physicians—such as Abdul Hadi Khalili, MD—and interim ministers have been setting the stage for high standards in medical education and training. Dr. Khalili, who trained initially in ophthalmology and subsequently in neurosurgery, is one of the most prominent orbital/neurosurgeons in the Middle East. Following the overthrow of Saddam’s regime, he quickly volunteered his services as a physician-leader working to reshape the health care system from one shrouded by seclusion, sanction and servitude. Dr. Khalili participated in the first Iraqi Medical Specialty Forum and was selected by the minister of Health to oversee medical licensure. Identified as a leader and collaborator, he was kidnapped by insurgents, held for ransom and released after threats to his family and his fingers. After returning to practice, he was contacted by the minister of Higher Education who asked him to find ways to improve Iraq’s medical education system. Medical advisors from both the United States and the United Kingdom had observed an extremely wide variety of sophistication and capacity in the 16 Iraqi medical colleges. Most are critically limited. No valid medical licensure or regulation system exists and specialty certification is more random than regulated. Dr. Khalili agreed to explore the U.S. approach to medical education for systems and best practices that could be imported to Iraq. In the fall of 2004, Dr. Khalili met with representatives of the Liaison Committee for Medical Education, the AMA and the American Association of Medical Colleges. He engaged the National Board of Medical Examiners to develop a modified version of the U.S. medical licensure exam (USMLE) for incorporation into a prospectively rejuvenated medical college curriculum. Officials from the Maryland Board of Physicians explained registration, MD licensure and physician discipline proceedings. Pat Wilkinson, MD, chairman of the American Board of Ophthalmology, described the role of the American Board of Medical Specialties and individual specialty boards in certification and recertification. Dr. Khalili expressed amazement at the universal opportunities for direct physician involvement in setting the standards for accreditation and examination, licensure and certification. He convinced the minister of Higher Education to send medical college deans, the chairman of the Iraqi board and the dean of the Baghdad College of Nursing to Amman, Jordan, in December to discuss issues of accreditation, licensure and certification. They chartered a medical commission to accredit all Iraqi medical colleges, examine students with the modified USMLE and subsequently apply the same principles to graduate medical education. As a forerunner to this, the Iraqi Ophthalmology Society has sponsored conduct of the International Council of Ophthalmology Basic Science examination in April 2004 and April 2005 for residents and young ophthalmologists. Among the 1,300 international examinees who took last year’s ICO examination, the highest score was achieved by an Iraqi resident. The state ophthalmological societies in Hawaii, North Carolina and Maryland have contributed to defray costs While the Iraqi Ophthalmology and Neurosurgery Societies remain fragile, Dr. Khalili and his colleagues continue to champion professionalism in medicine. They recognize that elective governments along with constitutionally empowered, physician-directed medical commissions and boards will guarantee the Iraqi public the quality and safety they deserve.
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Copyright © 2013 American Academy of Ophthalmology
