Editor's Note

Changes in Health Care Present Opportunities for New Ophthalmologists

Robert Noecker, MD, MBA, Chief Medical Editor

Dear colleagues,

Welcome to the latest issue of New Ophthalmologist. In this issue, you'll find articles on the use of premium IOLs as well as an article that addresses the macroeconomic trends occurring in medical practice and specifically ophthalmology. These topics are especially timely as we head toward 2012, with its inevitable changes in health care that come at a time when many of you are just getting established in practice.

The advantage that new ophthalmologists have is that they're not burdened by the past. No one knows what the “new normal” will be, so new graduates have an opportunity to create their own version of “normal.” At the practice level, experience with, and exposure to, electronic health records (EHR) and newer regulations will prove invaluable when adapting to and helping to optimize office practices. Immediate feedback to primary care doctors via an EHR, stating that dilated exams were performed on their diabetic patients, will engender an immense amount of goodwill and establish a steady referral source. While this may have appeared to be the norm in training, most practices aren't as far along in the integration process.

At the surgical level, familiarity with premium IOLs and newer devices that add value for your patients, the practice and referring doctors will make the new ophthalmologist more attractive in the community. The public and optometric community have become very savvy in terms of awareness about surgical options for their patients. Quality-of-life measures are more important than ever, meaning that quick recoveries and excellent visual outcomes — often achieved using technologies that newer ophthalmologists have used in training — can provide competitive advantages in the marketplace.

As stated before, new ophthalmologists aren't burdened by the past. So, you won't have to transition away from practice patterns and techniques that were the standard but are no longer considered state of the art. For example, your skill sets are already amenable to the use of topical anesthesia for surgery and the use of premium IOLs. You're comfortable with imaging technologies that some older practitioners may not have much experience with.

By working actively to build schedules with high-value patient visits, you can work with optometrists to maintain a flow of surgical patients while shedding some of the more routine care.

The changes occurring in healthcare present a big opportunity for you. Those of you who recognize and embrace these changes will prosper and become future leaders in our specialty.

Best regards, Robert J. Noecker, MD, MBA Ophthalmic Consultants of Connecticut Fairfield, Conn.