Tools young ophthalmologists can use to pave the way for a successful and fulfilling career
How do you define a successful start to your career? In the dynamic field of ophthalmology, measuring productivity is essential for young ophthalmologists aiming to establish a successful and fulfilling career. However, productivity can be multifaceted, encompassing various dimensions beyond mere patient volume. It is crucial to recognize that comparing oneself to peers can sometimes lead to counterproductive expectations, yet this is what often occurs. We have heard from a number of RWO members who experienced feelings of dissatisfaction in comparison to some of their peers on Instagram or X.
In this month’s RWO Corner, we delve into a more nuanced approach to measuring productivity, considering quantitative and qualitative metrics to provide a more accurate and personalized assessment of professional growth and effectiveness.
DEFINING PRODUCTIVITY
Dr. Ang Li, a glaucoma specialist at the Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute, states that productivity “can be measured by either your ability to teach and mentor others, which is a little less tangible, or your ability to produce journal articles and research for the greater academic community.”
Whether it be patient volume, procedure count or revenue generation, there are many pre-defined metrics to evaluate productivity as a young surgeon. Depending on your circumstances, these metrics may guide your practice development. For instance, if one measure is the number of refractive surgeries performed per year, it is critical to identify where your patients come from, how to generate more referrals, what kind of marketing plan needs to be implemented, etc. Determining what metrics are most important early on will help you define your own personal productivity.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Professional development is a life-long component to building a practice as an ophthalmologist. Whether it be through learning new procedures or networking to increase referrals, professional development is a cornerstone of productivity and broadly centered upon continuous self-reflection.
Mentorship is an important part of this too, as Dr. Li shares. The “sense of fulfillment I get from teaching is subconsciously what gives me the greatest sense of productivity because on the individual level, that’s the most fulfilling [to me],” she says.
BENCHMARKING AND GOAL SETTING
Benchmarking your productivity metrics with industry standards helps identify key areas for improvement and along with personal goals can provide motivation and a sense of direction. Performance reviews serve to balance feedback from and internal reflection. Dr. Li reminds us that “our career paths are quite long … do not be disappointed if initially you’re not meeting early career goals because we’re in this for decades.”
FINAL THOUGHTS
Identifying multiple avenues to evaluate productivity aids in developing a comprehensive understanding of practice performance and in identifying areas for improvement. Moreover, creating and following a productivity plan will allow early career surgeons to stay true to their goals and achieve a successful and fulfilling career. OM
This column is produced in partnership with Real World Ophthalmology, a free educational resource created by Dr. Nijm. RWO hosts virtual and in-person meetings discussing clinical innovations, business topics and areas of professional growth — helping over 4,100 young ophthalmologists succeed in early practice. Join RWO for our signature networking reception on Friday, Oct. 18 from 8-10 p.m. at AAO in Chicago. To save your spot, please sign up at RealWorldOphthalmology.com.
