Transcript Optometry - Lillyhospitalsurvey

Managing Change:
Learnings from Optometry
Dr. Joe Chan, OD, MBA
Mississauga, Ontario
June 8th, 2013
Overview
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Who provides eye care in Canada?
Our challenges as optometrists
Maintaining our primary eye care role
Evolution in our scope of practice
New horizons
Who Provides Eyecare in
Canada?
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The Three “O’s”
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Ophthalmologists
Optometrists
Opticians
Overlapping Roles
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With ophthalmology
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primary care done mostly by optometrists
co-manage glaucoma, cataracts & LVC
optometrists moving into medical treatment
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able to prescribe TPAs in all U.S. states and almost
all Canadian provinces
Overlapping Roles
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With opticianry
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both dispense eyewear and contact lenses
opticians want to be able to prescribe
independently
opticianry have always felt we had an unfair
advantage
argued that we have a conflict of interest
Conflict of Interest?
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Optometrists can both prescribe and
dispense eyewear
Risk that we might over-prescribe for our
own financial benefit
Similar to other health care professions
Have strict regulations to protect patient
Finding a Balance
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Challenge to balance professional role vs.
the retail element of our profession
Differences between provinces
Want public perception to be that we are
“doctors” first and foremost
Competitive Marketplace
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Eyewear and contact lenses are
increasingly becoming a commodity
Large-scale retail & Internet suppliers are
providing low cost alternatives
Must enhance service & convenience to
stay competitive
Changes to Coverage
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Historically, optometry included in
provincial health care programs
With government cutbacks, optometry
services to adults are generally not
covered in any province
Has not adversely affected our bottom line
Maintaining Role as
Primary Eye Care Provider
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Maintain accessibility
Forge strong ties to medical practitioners
Educating patient in our clinics
Develop marketing programs to create
awareness
National Marketing Program
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Public education was identified as a
priority to “brand” optometry
National program has evolved to television
and print campaigns
Each Canadian optometrist contributes
over $800 annually
Total budget 2013: $2.1 million
NPEC TV Commercial
Evolving Scope of Practice
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Ontario has passed legislation &
regulations to prescribe TPAs
Builds on our ability to assess, diagnose
and monitor ocular disease
Follows the lead of other jurisdictions
Getting Legislation
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In Ontario, discussions started in 1994
Must educate politicians and key
bureaucrats
Grassroots lobbying is most effective
Cover all political parties
Underwent three HPRAC reviews
Wrote first Rx in 2011 -- 17 year wait!
Anticipate Opposition
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Medical associations typically oppose
enhancing scopes of practice of other
health care professions
Try to mitigate opposition by creating
dialogue with these organizations
Educating stakeholders is your best tool
New Horizons
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Adapting to new health care delivery
models
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formation of multi-disciplinary health care
teams
role in hospitals & community care clinics
Adopting new technology to enhance our
services
Key Elements
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Small, cohesive profession
High level of participation in provincial &
national associations
Learn from experience in U.S.
Commitment to maintaining professional
stature
Closing Thoughts
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Change & challenges exist in optometry as
with all professions
Have a clear vision of where you want
your profession to go
Must recognize opportunities and seize
them
Build consensus and work together