Toyos to Speak at ACE 2009
Rolando Toyos, MD, Harold A. Stein
Guest Lecturer
One of ophthalmology’s most prominent young stars, Rolando Toyos, MD, will present the Harold A. Stein Guest Lecture at the 2009 ACE Program in San Francisco, CA, on Sunday, October 25, at 8 a.m. His address to attendees will highlight
a unique personal and professional journey, and lessons he has learned along the way.
Dr. Toyos is one of the nation’s leading cataract surgery and refractive
specialists, and has accumulated an impressive resume during his short career in this field. In addition to serving as Founder and
Director of the Toyos Clinic, a care facility serving greater Tennessee and surrounding areas, Dr. Toyos is also the official eye care
provider to the Memphis Grizzlies, the Memphis Redbirds, the Ballet Memphis, and the author of several books. He founded the Sports
Ophthalmic Society of the Americas to promote the art and science of sports ophthalmology by uniting team ophthalmologists, team
optometrists, trainers, and other sports eye care providers.
JCAHPO is pleased to welcome Dr. Toyos to the ACE schedule and encourages OMP to attend this captivating lecture, worth 1 JCAHPO Group A credit.
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OMP: Part of the Solution
In the February 2009 issue of EyeNet, Chief Medical Editor Richard P. Mills, MD, MPH, raised several important questions regarding ophthalmology’s solutions to growing physician and personnel shortages within the field. His editorial, “The Calm Before the Storm”, reiterates many of the positions that health care analysts have been emphasizing for years, noting that “individual ophthalmologists will need to assess their own practice needs, call on extensive information available through the Academy, and implement changes in their practice accordingly." A call to change is the article’s principal charge, as he later observes the action required to meet these demands:
It’s far too late to increase the number of ophthalmologists being trained to care for demographic shift; the pipeline is too long for that. Efficiency tweaks are unlikely to increase our productivity by the requisite 50 percent. …it might be a good time to plan for changing the way we practice by increasing productivity, creating eye care teams,
or both.
The landscape of the eye care profession has already begun to change, evidenced by increasing shortages nationwide of ophthalmologists and ophthalmic personnel. What remains static is the slow response to change in running practices, treating patients, and fully utilizing ancillary resources. As Dr. Mills notes, these changes should be multi-lateral for maximum effectiveness. This requires the implementation of new practice protocol, the incorporation of available technologies, and the sensible utilization of qualified, certified OMP.
Responsibility in this undertaking should remain shared if resolution is to be realized. Take for example that the average ophthalmologist will require years of undergraduate, graduate, and residence training prior to entering the professional health care industry as a licensed ophthalmologist. Ophthalmologists, by nature of their occupation, need to have the appropriate skills and training in order to effectively treat patients. The years of training required will not likely change, nor should they. Yet ophthalmic medical personnel can be trained and certified at a much faster rate to assist currently practicing ophthalmologists achieve greater levels of productivity and offset growing patient demand.
OMP are in a unique position to impact the future growth of this industry. Unified as a profession, we can demonstrate commitment to helping clinics meet these challenging times, while at the same time promoting the value of certification and continuing education. OMP will play a critical role in how effectively individual clinics and the field of ophthalmology confront many of the challenges over the next several decades. This impact does not begin overnight, but rather with individuals coming together to demonstrate to clinics, to patients, and to the industry, that certified OMP make productive, long-term contributions to a clinic’s success.
The most profound impact that you can have as a JCAHPO certified eye care professional is through interaction with co-workers, superiors, and the members of your respective community in need of care. Survey statistics confirm this belief among clinics and ophthalmologists worldwide time and again: certification increases productivity. As a JCAHPO-certified OMP, establish yourself as a team player committed to the long-term growth of your clinic and you’ll be doing a service to your career, your clinic, and the ophthalmic allied health profession.
The field of ophthalmology is at a critical crossroads and new approaches to staffing and practice management solutions will need to be the foundations for acquiring stability and success, as Dr. Mills recommends. Certified OMP are in a unique position to alleviate some of the problems currently plaguing the field of ophthalmology. More importantly however, certified OMP are a resource
that the field of ophthalmology should be looking to with confidence to help ease burdens and
increase efficiency.
The effective use of qualified, certified OMP is a change that most practices can make in a relatively short period of time and at a low cost. It can be achieved with little more than a change in attitude and a commitment to making small adjustments in practice operations for maximum benefit in the long-term. Endorsing the development and utilization of certified OMP is but one step in pursuit of greater practice balance, productivity, and quality care for the future of eye care.
Promote certification and continuing education in your office by forwarding this article to
friends and colleagues.
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New Findings from the Glaucoma Adherence and Persistency Study (GAPS)
Consequences of Poor Adherence/Persistency
| For more information on Glaucoma related products click below. |
 |
This is a paid advertisement.
The content and views expressed within do not represent or reflect the official policies or position
of JCAHPO. |
Without adequate treatment, elevated IOP can lead to disease progression, the development of glaucoma, and even blindness in some patients.
1,2
IOP-lowering therapy can only be effective if patients take their medication as directed and continue to refill their prescriptions regularly.
Persistency and compliance with IOP-lowering therapies are both generally low. One year after initial treatment, approximately 25% of patients
persistently refill their prescriptions and only 75% take their medication as directed.
3 Nonadherent patients run the risk of disease progression,
visual field loss, and increased patient and public healthcare costs.
4
The Glaucoma Adherence and Persistency Study (GAPS)
Patients may stop taking their IOP-lowering medication or skip doses for a number of reasons. Some patients are forgetful or have difficulty
administering drops, while others are unable to afford their medication costs or tolerate the side effects of treatment.3,5 The Glaucoma Adherence
and Persistency Study provides critical insights regarding the factors that impact patient behaviors and physician prescribing patterns.6 Data from
GAPS were derived using four overlapping and converging sources of information including:
1) a retrospective pharmacy claims database of almost 14,000 patients prescribed topical
ocular hypotensives.
2) a telephone survey of 103 physicians who were among the most active in prescribing these medications in that database.
3) a telephone survey of 300 patients from that database, 115 of whom were patients of the
surveyed physicians.
4) a review of the charts of 300 patients, 225 of whom were also participants in the patient survey, and 74 of whom were patients of the surveyed physicians.
GAPS Results Presented at AAO in November 2008 (Zimmerman et al.7)
GAPS data from a subset of 6,271 patients with 12 or more months of follow-up after initial prostaglandin analog (PGA) monotherapy
were presented in Atlanta at the most recent annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. These data showed that only a small
minority of patients (from 5% to 11% depending on the specific PGA) persist with their initial medication for an entire year, while a majority
of patients (58% to 68% overall) continue therapy intermittently, or in combination with an additional medication. Significant differences were
observed between specific PGAs with regard to both patient persistence and physician treatment decisions.
A Working Alliance
Results from GAPS highlight the challenge of low persistency among patients receiving IOP-lowering therapies and the impact of
hyperemia on patient adherence. Future initiatives to improve adherence and persistency should include a strong partnership with patients that
involve ongoing communication regarding adverse events to help ensure treatment goals are achieved.
https://www.pfizerpro.com/sites/pfp/pages/products/xalatan.aspx
References: 1. Kymes SM, Kass MA, Anderson DR, et al. Management of ocular hypertension: a cost-effectiveness approach from the Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study Group (OHTS). Am J Ophthalmol. 2007;141:997-1008. 2. Quigley HA, Broman AT. The number of people with glaucoma worldwide in 2010 and 2020. Br J Ophthalmol. 2006;90:262-267. 3. Schwartz GF. Compliance and persistency in glaucoma follow-up treatment. Cur Opin Ophthalmol. 2005;16:114-121 4. Callender O, Higginbotham E, Miller E. New tools address costly non-adherence. Rev Ophthalmol. 2006;8:94-98. 5. Schwartz GF, Quigley HA. Adherence and persistence with glaucoma therapy. Surv Ophthalmol. 2008;53:S57-S68. 6. Friedman DS, Quigley HA, Gelb L, et al. Using pharmacy claims data to study adherence to glaucoma medications: methodology and findings of the Glaucoma Adherence and Persistency Study (GAPS). Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2007;48:5025-5057. 7. Zimmerman TJ, Kotak S, Tan J, Kim E, and Hahn S. The effect of physicians’ treatment decisions and patient behavior on continuous use of prostaglandin therapy in glaucoma [poster]. Presented at: American Academy of Ophthalmology; November 2008; Atlanta, GA.
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2009 ACE News
The 2009 meeting will be held October 23-27 in San Francisco, CA at the Hilton San Francisco
(333 O'Farrell Street, San Francisco, California).
Online registration will open at the end of June/early July. Course bulletins are mailed in early July to all JCAHPO certificants and ATPO
members. Be sure to watch for information on this page. Registration deadlines will be posted in May. We offer discounted rates for early-bird and pre-registrants, so register early for the best prices!
Click here (http://www.jcahpo.org/meetings/annual.aspx) to visit the 2009 ACE page!
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NEW 2009 Retina TechTraxSM Course Dates
The latest educational series available to OMP is JCAHPO’s Retina TechTraxSM. Attendees of this series will learn from leading
retina specialists and professionals working with the newest advancements in this eye care sub-specialty.
Retina TechTrax features educational lectures on topics related to retinal diseases. The series includes audience participation
in discussions and break-out sessions focusing on evaluation and current and future treatments of diabetic retinopathy and
age-related macular degeneration.
Retina TechTrax will be available at the following dates and locations:
| Program Location |
Date |
| Kiawah Island, SC (Storm Eye) |
May 29-30 |
| Philadelphia, PA |
June 13 |
| Austin, TX |
June 27 |
| Seattle, WA |
July 17-18 |
| Boston, MA |
July 31 |
| Des Moines, IA |
August 1 |
| Cincinnati, OH |
August 7 |
| New York, NY (ASRS) |
October 1-2 |
| San Francisco, CA (ACE) |
October 23-27 |
| Las Vegas, NV |
November 21 |
| Chicago, IL |
December 4 |
| Orlando, FL |
January 16, 2010 |
| Biloxi, MS |
January 23, 2010 |
This educational series is available in collaboration with Focus-Ed and through an unrestricted educational grant from Genentech Inc.
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CLAO Montréal Summit
Montréal will be the location for the 2009 Contacts Lens Association of Ophthalmologists’® (CLAO®) International Contact Lens Summit, September 24-26, at the Hyatt Regency Montréal. The premier contact lens event of the year will welcome leading experts in contact lenses from around the world lecturing on the latest educational and technical innovations in the field.
Click here for the program agenda and additional registration information.
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Refinements Notice
Complimentary retests for JCAHPO Refinements will no longer be available beginning September 1, 2009. Individuals who score less than 80% on the first attempt for Refinements module quizzes will be required to purchase the second answer sheet at a rate of $5.00. Individuals who score less than 80% on the second attempt will not receive any continuing education credit. At that time, JCAHPO will not permit additional retakes of this quiz.
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Get Involved with ATPO
Take professional development action. ATPO is always looking for eager and willing eye care professionals to help author articles,
educational materials, or instruct courses at select programs.
This is an opportunity to demonstrate your commitment, build your resume, and contribute to the training and education of OMP. Get involved by giving back.
Visit www.atpo.org for more information on lecturing and
writing opportunities.
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Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Announcement
In January 2009, we announced the approval of the ophthalmic allied health profession as a separate occupational classification
by the federal government. Beginning in 2010, Ophthalmic Medical Technician will be officially recognized as a new occupation by the
United States Bureau of Labor’s Standard Occupational Classification (SOC).
JCAHPO leadership initiated the application process for occupational listing in 2004. Under the 2000 SOC listing, ophthalmic
assisting was classified under Other Healthcare Support Occupations (Medical Assistants). Ophthalmic Medical Technicians are now
classified under the major category of Health Technologists and Technicians, and the sub-group of Health Practitioner Support
Technicians and Technologists. The former grouping excluded important tasks and responsibilities of Ophthalmic Medical Technicians that
require more advanced, clinical, and overall medically detailed skills and knowledge than those of the general Medical Assistant. The
new occupational listing encompasses all three core levels of JCAHPO certification (COA®, COT®, and COMT®).
The 2010 SOC system is used by federal statistical agencies to classify workers into occupational categories for the purpose of
collecting, calculating, and disseminating data. For an occupation to be accepted for inclusion in the SOC, it requires a set of
uniquely identifiable skills. The first set of skills is related to the complexity and range of tasks and duties, including knowledge
and experience. These are defined by preparation levels and credentials, and considered necessary for new entrants to an
occupation (skill level). The second set is related to both the type of work performed and the nature of the work activities.
This accomplishment illustrates the continuing development and admiration for the skilled labor of ophthalmic allied health professionals
worldwide.
Share this article with colleagues. The federal occupational recognition is an accomplishment for the
entire eye care profession.
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New JCAHPO Board Member
Elbert H. Magoon, MD
One of the nation’s leading ophthalmologists, Elbert H. Magoon, MD, has been elected to the JCAHPO Board of Directors. Dr. Magoon
was confirmed as Member-at-Large on the JCAHPO Board for his strong record of leadership, dedication to the field of ophthalmology,
and commitment to allied health personnel.
Dr. Magoon is a board-certified ophthalmologist, cum laude graduate of Harvard Medical School, a Fellow of the American College of
Surgeons (FACS), and currently employed by Eye Centers of Ohio in Canton, OH. He is widely published, and has authored more than 30
various articles and research studies in leading ophthalmology publications. He has given over 20 presentations, many of them devoted
to his specialty with strabismus treatment and Botulinum Toxin applications for eye care, and lectured at some of the nation’s leading
medical and educational facilities, including Stanford University and
Harvard University.
His board membership was approved at the 2008 Board of Directors' Meeting in Atlanta, GA, and he will commence service to the JCAHPO Board
beginning in August 2009.
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Foundation and Scholarships
New Board Members and Officers Elected
Congratulations to the following people elected by the Foundation Board of Directors, and ratified by JCAHPO’s Board of Directors in February 2009:
Officers
Vice President: Steven J. Lichtenstein, MD - First 2-year term
Treasurer: Danne Ventura, COA, FNAO - Third and final 2-year term
Board Members
Judith Hall, COT - Third and final 3-year term
Neil Choplin, MD - First 3-year term
The board is most appreciative to Mary O’Hara, MD, for her excellent work as Vice President of the Foundation since 2000.
2009 Virginia Boyce Service Award – Deadline for nominations is May 1!
Criteria for Selecting Recipients
Any person may nominate candidates for the award, with appropriate documentation included to indicate eligibility for the award.
Information must be received by May 1 of each year, with review and selection by a committee of the Foundation in May. The recipient
will be notified by the end of June to allow sufficient time to make travel arrangements to receive the award. A person may receive
only one Virginia S. Boyce Service Award in a lifetime.
2009 Scholarships Available
Guidelines and applications for each scholarship are available on the Foundation Web site, along with the Release Form
granting the Foundation permission to quote from the application or essay.
Program Scholarships
These are available for students accepted in accredited training programs for ophthalmic medical assistants, technicians,
technologists, and orthoptists. Deadline for receipt of applications is June 19, 2009. Assistant programs may submit at any time
during the year.
Continuing Education Scholarships
Scholarships of up to $500 each are available for registration fees and travel to JCAHPO's ACE Program. This competition is open to
all ophthalmic medical personnel who have not received Continuing Education Scholarships from the Foundation between 2006 and 2008.
Receipt of Certification and/or Disaster Relief/Katrina Scholarships are not included in this guideline.
New Venue
Essay or videos may be submitted on any or all of the following titles:
“Certification – A Stepping Stone to My Future”
“Why I Would Choose Ophthalmic Medical Assisting as a Career Again”
“Why Eye MDs Need Certified Ophthalmic Medical Personnel”
Deadline for receipt in the Foundation office is August 1, 2009.
Harold A. Stein, MD, Prize for Best Scientific Paper
$1,500 cash prize, plus $500 travel and lodging reimbursement. All ophthalmic medical personnel are invited to submit an
ORIGINAL written scientific presentation on any ophthalmic topic of their choice, i.e., glaucoma, contact lenses, dry eye, animal eyes,
cataracts, macular degeneration, etc. Go to the Foundation Web site to print guidelines and an application.
Deadline for receipt in the Foundation office is June 26, 2009.
Disaster Relief Scholarships
These may be used for annual or regional programs and continuing education credits using JCAHPO Refinements or audio/video presentations listed on the JCAHPO order form.
ATPO
Up to two $500 scholarships are available for essays titled, "How Has ATPO Enhanced My Career?". Applications and guidelines are
available here. (http://www.atpo.org/scholarship.htm)
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2008 Statesmanship Awards
We were pleased to honor the following individuals with JCAHPO Statesmanship Awards at the 2008 ACE program in Atlanta, GA.
Non-Commissioner Statesmanship Award – David W. Parke II, MD
Dr. Parke was the President of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) in 2008 and is currently its CEO and Executive Vice President. He was the Edward L. Gaylord Professor and Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology College of Medicine at the
University of Oklahoma, and President and CEO of the Dean A. McGee Eye Institute. With an extensive background in retina specialty,
he has amassed a sterling reputation as a physician, researcher, instructor, and leader in the field of ophthalmology, in addition to
serving on numerous Boards and Committees.
In recent years, he worked with JCAHPO to bring the AAO and JCAHPO Ophthalmic Training Tool Kit to fruition as a resource for
personnel and clinics, and as President and CEO of the Dean A. McGee Eye Institute, he employed over 40 certified OMP.
Commissioner Statesmanship Award – Paul R. Montague, CRA, FOPS
Mr. Montague is a Certified Retinal Angiographer (CRA) and Fellow of the Ophthalmic Photographer’s Society (FOPS). He is currently
employed by the University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences in Iowa City, and serves as Manager of Research and
Development Projects, and also holds the position of Imaging Applications Developer. For over thirty years, he has been involved with
photography, ophthalmic diagnostic imaging, and computer applications development in a variety of capacities.
Congratulations to both recipients for their support of continuing education and certification opportunities for
ophthalmic medical personnel.
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First Canadian Performance Test
For the first time, Canada will host a JCAHPO Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT) onsite Performance Test.
Rockyview General Hospital in Calgary, AB, will hold the Canadian COMT conditioned Performance Test on Saturday, May 30, 2009.
JCAHPO President William F. Astle, MD, FRCS(C), Dipl. ABO hails the event as significant. “This is the first time in the history of JCAHPO that this test will be offered onsite in Canada,” notes Astle. “We thought it
was important to make this opportunity available to Canadian ophthalmic medical personnel prior to transitioning from our hands-on to
computer simulation Performance Test.”
Beginning in 2010, JCAHPO will offer an exclusive computer-simulated Performance Test
for candidates.
Watch for date and location announcements for the Fall 2009 final conditioned COMT Performance Test, which will be held in the U.S.
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Recertification Applications Online
In an effort to simplify the recertification process for applicants, JCAHPO recertification applications will no longer be mailed.
Applications are now available for download from the JCAHPO Web site in a writable PDF.
Simply:
1) Download/Open the Recertification Application (http://www.jcahpo.org/certification/pdfs/RecertApplication.pdf)
2) Click on the form fields and type in information
3) Print
4) *Get the signature of a sponsoring ophthalmologist
5) *Handwrite personal signature
6) **Mail to JCAHPO:
JCAHPO
2025 Woodlane Dr.
St. Paul, MN 55125-2998
*The document MUST include the original signatures of both the applicant and the sponsoring ophthalmologist.
Electronic signatures will not be accepted.
**This form MUST be mailed. Fax submissions will not be accepted.
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New COT and COMT Examination Packaging
Beginning in January 2009, we launched a reduced application fee and a new pricing package for the COT Multiple-choice Exam and
Skill Evaluation. This was done in an effort to make the application process easier and more cost-effective. For COMT program graduates,
a comparable exam packaging is also now available for the Multiple-choice and Skill Evaluation.
A reminder for COTs that the reduced packaged price of $325 for the first attempt of the Multiple-choice and Skill Evaluation,
with re-test fees, are available at the following rates:
| COT Multiple-choice Exam Re-test Pricing |
| 1st Re-test |
$275 |
| 2nd Re-test |
$150 |
| COT Skill Evaluation Exam Re-test Pricing |
| 1st Re-test |
$85 |
| 2nd Re-test |
$85 |
For COMT program graduates, the application fee is available at a reduced packaged price of $340 for the first attempt at the
Multiple-choice and Skill Evaluation Examination equal to the COT package. Re-test fees are available at the following rates:
| COMT Multiple-choice Exam Re-test Pricing |
| 1st Re-test |
$295 |
| 2nd Re-test |
$150 |
| COMT Skill Evaluation Exam Re-test Pricing |
| 1st Re-test |
$85 |
| 2nd Re-test |
$85 |
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Surgical Assisting Update
Beginning August 1, 2009, JCAHPO will begin charging recertification fees for all Surgical Assistant credential holders.
Previously, OMP were charged a one-time only fee for the surgical assisting certificate, which was valid as long as their JCAHPO
core credential remained active.
Under the new guidelines, personnel will pay $45, due every three years, to maintain the Surgical Assisting certificate in
addition to recertification fees for their JCAHPO core certification, which is a pre-requisite for
the Surgical Assistant sub-specialty.
For more information, contact the JCAHPO Certification Department at (651) 731-2944.
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COMT Performance Test
The computer-simulated COMT Performance Test for the examination of a candidate’s knowledge and skills is a component of
JCAHPO’s COMT level certification requirements.
The computer-simulated COMT Performance Test tasks:
Measure patient’s motility using cover tests and prisms at distance
Evaluate version and ductions and identify any abnormality
Measure, compare, and evaluate pupil function at a distance
Perform imaging
Perform manual lensometry: identification and measurement of prisms
*Reminder: All candidates will need to successfully complete the Skill Evaluation prior to taking the Performance Test simulation.
Watch for upcoming test and site updates.
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COA/CCOA/COMT Multiple-choice
A reminder that the proposed changes to the Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA), Corporate Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (CCOA), and
the Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT) multiple-choice examinations will take effect beginning in November 2009.
The updated JCAHPO examinations will focus exclusively on testing tasks that require technical knowledge and skill as determined
from the 2008 Job Task Analysis findings. The COA/CCOA and COMT examinations will include questions from each content area.
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CDOSSM Examination Launch Date
Examinations for the new Certified Diagnostic Ophthalmic Sonographer (CDOS) credential will be available beginning August 1, 2009.
JCAHPO’s latest credential provides OMP working with B-Scan ultrasound access to an advanced level of certification in this growing
sub-specialty. Following the opening round of examinations, CDOS assessments will be regularly available to qualified,
interested
candidates.
The CDOS examination will test B-Scan concepts and the knowledge of standardized diagnostic A-Scan images. For personnel,
the ability to take and interpret both sets of images aids the physician in making a diagnosis. Questions for the CDOS level
examination will require that candidates view and analyze both B-Scan and standardized diagnostic A-Scan.
Additional CDOS information on eligibility requirements, fees, and examination content is available by clicking here. (http://www.jcahpo.org/certification/certified.aspx#CDOS)
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