
Comment from Australia and New Zealand
I had a conversation with one of our members recently about a complaint that had been made against him. It dates back to treatment provided seven years ago, with no intervening services. The patient alleges a range of misjudgement and incompetence and is seeking considerable compensation.
Two things struck me when I talked to this member – one was how sound his notes were (and how much of a lifeline this was going to be after seven years). The other was how deeply impacted he was by the complaint and the allegations.
I’ve attended a number of conferences where the collective wisdom is that a health professional can expect to be sued three times during the course of their career. That’s just a reflection of the world in which we live – if something goes wrong in our lives, we immediately look around to see who is to blame. And if there’s no one immediately apparent, then some people seem to go looking for the most likely candidate.
With less than two weeks until WAVE begins… the last few spaces are filling fast
This is again why it is very important to talk to the Association if something like this arises.
Over the years we’ve seen literally dozens of cases like this. We can offer advice on how to proceed and we know what information investigative agencies look for in a response.
Most importantly, however, we understand the angst that members go through – and our experience allows us to talk to you about it in very practical and realistic terms.
As for this member, I think he’s got a very good case to argue – his records are sound (not perfect, but they’d be in the top few per cent of records I’ve ever seen) – and that is what will sustain him.
OAA Vic
Terri Smith
Our recent member policy forum, Technology in Optometry Practice, brought together 24 members from across the state to help us develop ideas for information and activities that will assist other members to understand this important area. There was plenty of lively and helpful discussion and tonnes of great ideas, which we will follow up in coming months. It was a great opportunity to hear directly from members who have a particular interest in technology. Jim Kokkinakis kicked off the session with a presentation then joined in a panel discussion with Ross Both, Richard Lindsay and Ken Thomas. There is no doubt that between developments in clinical technology and patient record and management developments this will be a hot topic over the years to come. Thank you to the members who contributed their time and ideas to the session.
Our recent member webinar exploring co-management in optometry also attracted great interest. This is our third free member webinar and we are finding members enjoying this easy access to information and CPD points! We loved hearing a story recently of a group of members who got together for a bite to eat, then all logged into the webinar and followed it up with a chat.
SRC 2013
Our Education Committee is already hard at work with plans for SRC 2013. Due to limited venue availability, SRC will be held in June 2013 – breaking with a long tradition of SRC in May. While the date will change you can expect the same high quality program with dual streams on both Sunday and Monday to maximise your session choices. We will have a wide range of international and Australian speakers covering general and specialised topics. There will be plenty of interest for everyone. So book Saturday 1 June – Monday 3 June 2013 into your diary now.
CPR Training
We will once again be providing CPR training for members who need to update their CPR qualification. OBA registration standards require optometrists to undertake CPR training every three years. If you need an update we have scheduled a course at our Carlton office on Wed 24 October from 6–9.30pm, giving you plenty of time to meet the 30 November deadline.
Contact office@vicoptom.asn.au for more info.
Keep an eye out for further member activities, and don’t forget we love hearing from members with questions or concerns. If there is anything you want to ask or tell us about please just phone (AUS) 03 9652 9100 or email: office@vicoptom.asn.au. We really do always enjoy hearing from members.
OAA Tas
Geoff Squibb
School Childrens’ Vision Testing
The Tasmanian Division of Optometrists Association Australia is concerned that parents of Tasmanian school children are being put to unnecessary added expense and inconvenience due to Child and Family Health nurses failing to include optometrists in their recommendations for referrals.
Current Child Health and Parenting Service practice is to refer primary school children who are detected with a possible vision problem during school screenings to a general practitioner or an orthoptist.
Tasmanian president Karen Garner, in a recent submission to the Tasmanian Health Minister, strongly advocated for the inclusion of optometrists as a further option for referral. Ms. Garner said that as primary eye care professionals, optometrists were a far better option for not only the child and parents but taxpayers as well.
As university-trained health professionals, optometrists have undertaken treatment of children with visual disorders as part of their qualification. They are trained to detect and treat binocular vision disorders, detect eye disease and infections and are now registered to prescribe therapeutic medications as well.
Ms. Garner said optometrists, like GPs and ophthalmologists, are required to be nationally registered and accredited yet the Department refuses to refer school children to them, opting instead for orthoptists who are not nationally registered or accredited.
Ms. Garner pointed out that most optometric consultations with optometrists are covered by Medicare.
Two major outcomes of a child’s eye examination are either refractive error or underlying pathology requiring referral to an ophthalmologist, Ms. Garner said.
“Optometrists are able to refer directly to an ophthalmologist if they believe a child’s visual disorder requires a higher level of specialist treatment. From an access point of view there are more optometrists than ophthalmologists or orthoptists registered in Tasmania.
“Optometrists are located in or near all the major population centres and do not have long waiting lists for appointments,” she said.
TLC VIII
Arrangements are well in hand for Australia’s premier off shore optometry congress, the Alcon sponsored TLC VIII.
Although registrations are being received at a steady rate, there are still some vacancies. But, be warned, registrations were last year closed off some weeks prior to the congress, due to the venue’s capacity, so those interested in attending should enrol immediately.
Exhibitor response this year has been excellent, with a record 21 exhibitors.
Delegates to the congress can also look forward to the Coopervision Congress Dinner, which this year is being held at the award winning Peppermint Bay a short ferry ride from the Congress venue.
OAA WA
Tony Martella
WAVE 11-12 August
WAVE is about to kick off and this year it’s looking to be an even bigger event than 2011 with delegates coming in to Perth from around Australia and the world. Our very first registration came from an optometrist based in Taiwan – demonstrating just how far the WAVE reputation has travelled.
With less than two weeks until WAVE begins, there is still time to register your attendance, although I would urge you to be quick as the last few spaces are filling fast.
In 2012 WAVE provides the opportunity to collect 42 CPD points, including face-to-face and therapeutic points. As well as sessions on topics including ocular infections, medications, contact lens fittings and paediatric eye care, we’ll have a session on how you can harness the powers of social media for the benefit of your practice.
Additionally, we’ll have some of the profession’s biggest and most boutique suppliers showing their wares in the exhibition hall. A cocktail party overlooking the Swan River will provide the opportunity to relax and catch up with colleagues.
WAVE takes place at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre on the weekend of 11-12 August. Register at www.optometrists.asn.au/wave
Cyril Jackson Senior Campus
OAA WA recently represented the optical profession at the 2012 Health Festival, which was hosted at Cyril Jackson Senior Campus in Bassendean.
Cyril Jackson is a fascinating, truly multi-cultural learning environment that comprises students from 50 countries – a real melting pot of the world. The annual festival aims to promote a healthy lifestyle, which in turn will assist in achieving personal and educational goals. This important initiative is run in conjunction with community agencies that provide attendees with health services, information and support.
The OAA was there, along with local optometrist and OAA member, Michael Doyle, to talk to school students and community members about eye health and opportunities to establish a career in this sector. It was excellent to have Michael on board to provide the professional angle.
The Health Festival was a really positive, valuable day for the school and the community as a whole. We look forward to being involved in future years.
OAA Qld/NT
Cristy Ross
In a bid to further develop the relationship between optometrists and general practitioners this year, the OAA QLD/NT Division will attend the General Practitioner Conference and Exhibition (GPCE) in Brisbane next month and GP12 on the Gold Coast in October.
This will be the first time the GPCE has been held in Brisbane, following the success of its Sydney and Melbourne conferences in past years.
GPCE, scheduled to be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from 14-16 September offers a superior learning experience featuring 23 Seminars and 60 hands-on workshops delivered by expert speakers. It also provides access to over 100 leading healthcare organisations all in the one location.
GPCE delivers innovative solutions and practical strategies to improving patient care and has been recognised by GPs as a major clinical educational event on the GP calendar, running in Sydney for 17 years, and Melbourne for 10 years.
The OAA QLD/NT Division has committed to an exhibition space at GPCE this year in the hope that our presence will promote awareness of the Association to GPs and reinforce the role of an optometrist in supporting an improved, co-managed approach to patient health and well-being.
GP12
The OAA QLD/NT Division will also attend the RACGPs annual conference GP12, which travels around the country and this year visits the Gold Coast. GP12 is scheduled to be held from 25-27 October at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Leading primary care is the overarching theme of GP12, focusing on practical skills to support daily practice. General practice research will again be a focal point of the academic program as delegates explore how they can apply research to enhance the quality of care they deliver to patients.
Similar to our presence at GPCE in Brisbane, we are hopeful our involvement in GP12 on the Gold Coast achieves increased awareness of the Association among GPs and promotes improved referral pathways in an attempt to deliver better patient care.
Our presence at these key general practitioner events will allow us the opportunity to further develop our relationships with GPs as part of our strategy to reduce patient waiting lists and encourage an improved co-managed approach to patient care. As a result we are hopeful clearer referral pathways will ensure more patients are diagnosed and treated sooner.
Super Sunday a Huge Success |
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Super Sunday, held on Sunday 24 June, lived up to its name when more than 500 eye care professionals gathered at the Australian Technology Park, Sydney, for the first major eye care conference to be held for the Optometrists Association Australia NSW/ACT Division, since 2007. “It was a very, very good day, with a different format and a different venue,” said Andrew McKinnon CEO OAA NSW/ACT. “Initial feedback was that everyone enjoyed it.” In drawing together such a large number of optometrists to Super Sunday, it is very clear members from NSW want a local conference, but can’t attend a full weekend. In the past, as the NSW conference was held on Saturday and Sunday and optometrists couldn’t run out of their practice on Saturday – their busiest day – there would be less than 200 attendees. The OAA NSW/ACT Division have a right to feel quietly proud about their achievement as it looks like they’ve finally struck on a formula that works for their members. The program for Super Sunday began at 8am and ran through until 5.45pm with concurrent 40-minute sessions running for most of that time. “There were no set breaks for morning tea, lunch or afternoon tea. Delegates could choose to take a break whenever it suited them. We had food continuously served – so no matter what time they came out, there was always something to eat,” said Mr. McKinnon. He said the initiative worked well for both delegates and exhibitors. “At the end of every 40-minute session, the rooms emptied and delegates gathered in the central hall among the exhibitors before returning to the next session.” Mr. McKinnon says an initial review of delegate surveys indicates the presentations were well received, especially those by ophthalmologist Dr. Anthony Maloof who spoke on oculoplastics, Simon Chen from Vision Eye Institute, and practising optometrist and lecturer, Anthony Chapman Davies. Delegates were able to collect a total of 33 CPD points on the day by taking advantage of keypads for assessments. Additionally, 25 CPD points were achievable by attending workshops on 23 June, which were held in conjunction with Super Sunday at the University of New South Wales School of Optometry and Vision Science. “It worked very well – so we’ll do it again next year at the same venue – it’s a great place to host a conference – as an old railway yard, it has a very different feel to being in major hotel,” he said. The Australian Technology Park at Eveleigh near Redfern sits on the site of what was once Australia’s largest industrial complex and a major railway yard. Although now home to some of the country’s most innovative technology companies, the buildings still retain the park’s rich cultural heritage. Super Sunday 2013 is on Sunday 23 June at Australian Technology Park, Eveleigh, NSW. For details contact the OAA NSW/ACT Division on (AUS) 02 9712 2199. |