Eyeworld

EW FEATURE January 2011 45 Dr. Lane: I think so. In fact, I know so. If you look at the number of doc- tors being trained and the number of patients that are going to fall into the category of needing ophthalmic care, clearly we don't have enough doctors to take care of the patients. So the thought of ophthalmologists caring for all of the increased popu- lation that's expected as the age of baby boomers age is unrealistic. We need to be able to provide that care and the combination of an op- tometrist and ophthalmologist in the same office working side by side to see these patients, each working up to their capability in terms of what their scope of their ability in training is, it's a very efficient way of taking care of patients and being able to see the volume of patients that is going to be necessary. Dr. Holland: Not only would I rec- ommend it, it's the model that we have to strive for because if you look at the studies on the aging popula- tion in the United States, if we all practiced the same way, we are not going to be able to deliver the terti- ary eye care that's going to be needed. The number of patients who are on Medicare is going to double in the next 10 years and a majority of them are going to have oph- thalmic conditions and so if we as physicians don't figure a way to be- come more efficient in the operating room and the clinic, patients are not going to get the care they need. So we have to come up with a new model that transfers some of the more routine cases and routine pa- tients to optometry. Every practice can decide whether or not to incorporate the model and many have decided not to do it. No one is going to mandate that they do it but I think the prac- tice that incorporates the ophthal- mology integrated OD practice model will eventually be the model that wins out because that model will be the most efficient model not only from patient care standpoint but also from an economic stand- point as well. Dr. Nichamin: I think change in general is always viewed as pejora- tive, particularly for practitioners who have done it a certain way for many years. They are resistant to change and there traditionally, has been some animosity between op- tometry and ophthalmology, which is ridiculous, but when it comes down to it, if we're just honest, open and willing to look at what is best for the patient first and foremost, and then saying fine, we have to work within a new environment, what's the best system, then I think these changes become logical. Potentially, I think that there may be some smaller practices where an ophthalmologist by choice and design delivers primary care in dis- pense to an isolated patient popula- tion and for he or she it may not make sense. I don't think it's for everyone but I do believe that it is the trend, we've certainly benefited and profited by this system for many years and I've certainly watched other practices move in this direction so you never say never, never say always for everyone, but I think that in general this is the cur- rent trend. EW Financial information: Drs Holland, Lane and Nichamin have no financial interests related to their statements in this article. Contact information: Holland: 859-331-9000, eholland@holprovision.com Lane: 651-439-8500; sslane@associatedeyecare.com Nichamin: 814-849-8344, nichamin@laureleye.com The rising costs of doing business are causing more physicians to consider searching for addi- tional sources of revenue, according to a recent article published online at modernmedicine.com. That may involve become part of a large multispecialty practice, or adding value to your already existing practice by branching out beyond offering eyecare services (think optical shop, cosmetics, hearing services, etc.). One advantage of being part of a large multi- specialty practice is having administrators who run the practice, the article pointed out. The flip side to that is loss of control of day-to-day business transactions, which may be hard for some practitioners to bear. Another approach is to delegate, that may mean working with an optometrist who can see patients for refraction and other eye-related services, an optician for fitting glasses and even maybe adding hearing or cosmetic surgery professionals to the mix. Patients often appreciate the one-stop approach, some experts say. The multidisciplinary approach also may help practitioners prepare for the inevitability of integrating electronic health records. "Access to common records also ensures that patients hear a consistent message from every provider," the article states. "Being part of a multidisciplinary practice also helps with patient adherence to treatment plans." An Integrated Care Primer With our online program, you can "turn the pages" to browse the entire program or use the search engine to go directly to a specific section. Registration information and forms for the ASCRS Symposium, ASOA Congress, Technicians & Nurses Program, Cornea Day and ASCRS Glaucoma Day can be downloaded. Be sure to read the Welcome Letter and Special Events pages to note the highlights of the meetings. Preview Program Friday, March 25, 2011 2 Special 1-Day Programs ASCRS Symposium on Cataract, IOL and Refractive Surgery March 25–29, 2011 ASOA Congress on Ophthalmic Practice Management March 25–29, 2011 Technicians & Nurses Program March 26–28, 2011 The ASCRS•ASOA Electronic Preview Program Is Now Online Come early and attend our 2 Special One-Day Meetings Cornea Day and ASCRS Glaucoma Day Friday, March 25, 2011 www.ascrs.org/11am/previewprogram/

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