EyeWorld is the official news magazine of the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery.
Issue link: https://digital.eyeworld.org/i/422211
Innovators Lecture. "I think the key is to provide education and information to our members in a variety of ways; some members choose one venue over another," Dr. Holland said. "But to give a variety is what is needed." Dr. Lewis finds audience par- ticipation during sessions enhances the experience. "I think that it adds both to the achievement of educa- tional goals and to the enjoyment when other physicians can see what their colleagues are doing," he said. They can get a sense that, for exam- ple, no one else is doing retrobulbar blocks anymore, and they are in the minority. "I think that's a motivator, that sort of peer pressure," Dr. Lewis said. Presentation follow-up Dr. Henderson thinks that pre- and post-presentation questionnaires play an important role in these data-driven programs. "Many of the courses include audience response questions that evaluate the level of understanding of a particular topic immediately before the lecture and immediately afterward," Dr. Henderson said. "Analyzing the in- crease in knowledge is a direct mea- sure of the impact of the course." In the long term, these ques- tions could be asked again at a subsequent meeting to see if the knowledge was retained. Ultimately, she views this as filtering down to patient outcomes. "If the knowledge gaps can be identified and filled, "If the knowledge gaps can be identified and filled, this can directly impact patients' outcomes and safety." –Bonnie An Henderson, MD this can directly impact patients' outcomes and safety." Dr. Holland also thinks this follow-up can make a difference. "We survey our attendees after the meeting to see if we have changed their thinking—if we improved the educational gap and changed the way practitioners will practice," he said. "We are trying to measure those educational gaps post-meet- ing to see if we were successful in providing education to close those gaps." Dr. Henderson said it is easy for physicians to fall behind in the latest and greatest advances in med- icine. "Because most physicians are so busy, it becomes difficult to read every journal and attend every meet- ing to learn about the changes in ophthalmology," she said. "Societies play an important role for physi- cians to help them learn about the most important advances that may improve patient care." Dr. Lewis is convinced that today's data-driven education programs are just the beginning. "I think it is wide open depending on the creativity," he said. "We have a lot of federal restrictions and different statutes we have to adhere to, but the educational content is so much better than it used to be, and I think it continues to improve." EW Contact information Henderson: bahenderson@eyeboston.com Holland: eholland@holprovision.com Lewis: rlewiseyemd@yahoo.com