The Case Against ABOP
When the overwhelming majority of the profession wants national certification/licensure
they will demand it of their legislators and all of the professional organizations.
Has it been decades now since the governments of England, Wales, Scotland
and the Irelands created a single Board?
Each of the 50 American fiefdoms must be willing to abdicate what they
regard as self-protection. Noted optometric writers and educators have
begun to expose the anachronism of provincialism. The need to take multiple
boards is insulting. The community of practice is no longer the town, city,
or state; it is national.
ABOP, as a national standard of competence, is an embarrassment.
As certification, such cannot compare with three to five year residencies.
Insurers are well aware of the breadth and depth of our education. They
know we all must be certified by our State Boards. They know of Continuing
Education for re-licensure.
They ask of the broad field of Medicine for evidence of specialty. Have
we already forgotten that Dr. Ed Goodlaw pursued a diploma from each section
of the AAO just to prove there was no such thing as a specialty in Optometry?
ABOP is an example of what has driven away many former members.
The duplicity that the proponents of ABOP displayed at the business
meeting of the last AAO congress was unacceptable. As long as AOA
remains a small business protective association which denies the long view,
one cannot expect to have the national standards a profession deserves.
- Albert M. Nemiroff, O.D., eyedoc.israel@gte.net
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The Case for ABOP
ABOP will set a national standard that optometry desparetly needs!!!! Unfortunatly
all of our state laws vary to much. It will also give all those who refuse
to go to CE or not pratice to the full extent of law a way to tell everyone
including thier patients.
They can do this by saying I AM NOT BOARD CERTIFIED. It is absurd
that every O.D. in this country is not TPA certified regardless if they
want to utilize them or not!!
It is time we had a way to separate out those not licensed to the highest
level possible instead of including them with those that are. For those
out there that think optometry is not discriminated against, because
we do not have a national standard, are not living in the real world.
It's not 1950 anymore!!!!!!!
-Daniel DeWinter, O.D., DeWinter Eye Care Center, Muskego, Wis.,
dewinter@execpc.com
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TOA Delegates
Should Vote ‘No’
I am writing this letter to express my concern regarding "board certification"
that the American Board of Optometric Practice has proposed. I feel it
is imperative the Texas Optometric Association delegates that will represent
my profession at the AOA Congress in Las Vegas hear the viewpoints of members
they represent.
First, I have serious reservations about continuing along the path that
the ABOP has so thoroughly laid out. As the ABOP’s plan developed, I felt
local and regional discussion groups should be formed to investigate this
issue. After reading the April 24th issue of the AOA News, my serious reservations
changed to profound disagreement that board certification for optometry
is in the best interest of either the public or optometry.
I have talked with many of the optometrists in my area and around the
state. So far, I haven’t found anyone that is in favor of board certification
as proposed by ABOP. Obviously, the issue of board certification is being
forced on the profession without the support of the membership. The optometric
profession has entered a demanding era of ever-changing third party politics.
This is a time that we, the future of optometry, present a united image
rather than one of divisiveness. During my 25-plus years in optometry,
I have often felt that optometry is its own worst enemy. I firmly believe
the ABOP will do nothing to further our professional image in the eyes
of managed care, and certainly not in the hospital administrative atmosphere.
The ABOP’s recommendation is creating an atmosphere that suggests the profession
is not adequately educated in the field prior to practice.
Currently, I serve on the hospital staff of my local hospital. When
I applied 10 years ago, the issue of board certification did come up. The
by-laws were then changed to include professions that did not embrace board
certification. I have been a productive member of the hospital staff since
that time. The argument that board certification will allow us to check
off a box on an application for staff privileges, or on a managed care
application is perplexing. Attempting to manipulate optometry to fit the
guidelines set forth by medicine and managed care is regressive. Optometry
should stand on its own merit. We do not need to pass another test to prove
our worth to managed care or any other entity.
If the majority of our membership feels that the ABOP is the tool we
need to advance in optometry, then I will be forced to "earn" my certification.
It would be done simply because I know that in order to maintain my patient
base I must be board certified to see any third party patients. It certainly
wouldn’t be because I would feel it is in the best interest of the public
or optometry. The ABOP has stated the test will not be necessary to practice
optometry. I will agree with their statement; however, it will be necessary
if you wish to make a living in optometry.
I implore you vote NO on this proposal for the future of optometry.
- B.J. Pittman, O.D., Alice, Texas, cornea@vsta.com
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Potential for Conflict
I can see that the ABOP measure is intended to advance the stature of optometry
as a profession. I do, however, see potential for conflict with the American
Academy of Optometry and the National Board of Examiners in Optometry.
I believe that many may see this as a way to advance the cause of a
few optometrists trying to carve out a niche for themselves on boards or
administrative groups (i.e. "another stop on the lecture circuit")
I do not think the major issues involved here are resolved to the satisfaction
of most AOA members.
- Mark A. McKay, O.D., Mark.McKay@hsc.utah.edu
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A Bad Idea
ABOP is a bad idea. It is a divisive issue which our proffession
does not need right now. Optometrists are already board certified
by our state boards.
- Stanley H. Cate, O.D., Ft. Smith, Ark., cec@ipa.net
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Who's Been Omitted?
I challange any O. D. to produce verifiable documentation of any O.D. being
omitted from a panel because of a nonexistent cerfification.
-W. Gross Miami Beach, Fla., Zev0723@aol.com
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A CME Project
Although I understand what is being attempted and I am sure that the proponents
are sincere in their efforts, I am opposed to the ABOP. It seems little
more than a mandatory nationwide CME project, a test and all of a sudden
we are "special." I have no objections to CME. I don't even mind
a good test as it forces me to study more. However, to assume that all
of a sudden we are better educated, better prepared, have more prestige,
is ludicrous.
I think we need to observe the example of dentistry. They have never
felt the need for such a thing, and are doing just fine.
I love optometry, I support optometry. I have done so for almost 24
yeas, and hope to be a supporter for many more. However, I can't support
something like the ABOP.
- Clair R. Palmer, American Fork, Utah, palm2020@aol.com
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Why Reinvent Wheel?
I am against the whole concept of ABOP. Let current organizations
do the same thing (NBEO and AAO, etc.). Why reinvent the wheel?
It will not end up being "voluntary" as is now claimed. Insurance
companies and managed-care companies will see through the "ivory tower"
appearance.
In the last few of years my title has changed from "optometrist" to
"Doctor of Optometry" to "Optometric Physician." What good has
that done? I think ABOP is a similar smoke screen, with a few individuals
(those behind the whole idea) earning a few extra bucks on the side. "Follow
the Money."
- Erick Hartman, O.D., Tacoma, Wash. TRICKNRACIE@worldnet.att.net
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Delegates Should Repeal
I do not need ABOP. I am Board Certified already. ABOP needs to respond
as to how it will assimilate and RESPECT those in this profession that
can currently legally use the term Board Certified. No one has specifically
addressed this question in writing though I have asked ABOP this question.
ABOP would not help construct a national standard of care because
it would claim to establish a higher than average level of competence.
Therefore that would in time come to mean that unless one was not ABOP
certified then that doctor is less than their standard. How can ABOP be
the standard but claim to meet a higher standard forever after their establishment?
Catch 22.
The AOA House of Delegates should vote to repeal ABOP. And, I am an
AOA member.
- Stanley Hallock, O.D., Orlando Fla. EYERACE@aol.com
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