Eyeworld Daily News

EW SHOW DAILY 24 ASCRS News Saturday, April 14, 2018 For ASCRS, I think the biggest challenge is to adapt to the chang- ing demographics of ophthalmol- ogists. For decades, physicians traveled to attend meetings to fulfill their CME requirements and to reconnect with colleagues. Now, physicians have more choices to obtain CME credits. Online courses, webinars, and recorded meetings are easily accessible. Social media has allowed colleagues to stay in touch. Greater numbers of physicians are using online discussion groups, such as ASCRS EyeConnect, to share difficult cases and garner discussions rather than participating in a live meeting. Ophthalmologists who are entering the workforce are more di- verse, with greater numbers of wom- en and minorities than in previous generations. These physicians may search for different types of organi- zations who represent their specific needs. ASCRS needs to continue to strive for diversity in its membership and more importantly, in its leader- ship. EyeWorld: How will you continue to stay active in ASCRS? Dr. Henderson: I will remain on the Executive Committee for 2 more years. I am committed to serving the mission of ASCRS to provide education for our members and to support our efforts in legislative and scientific pursuits. EW nationwide search, Steve Speares has been selected as the new execu- tive director. Steve has had a success- ful career in sales and marketing at Alcon (Fort Worth, Texas) and more recently at Glaukos (San Clemente, California). We look forward to his continued success as he takes the reins of ASCRS. EyeWorld: Over the next few years, what do you think will be the big- gest challenges and opportunities for ASCRS and for ophthalmologists? Dr. Henderson: The biggest chal- lenges for ophthalmologists con- tinue to be financial and legislative. As in most medical specialties, the cost of practicing medicine contin- ues to rise with increased demands to convert to electronic medical records, billing, and prescribing. The conversion to an electronic office comes with a hefty upfront cost and at the same time decreases efficien- cy, resulting in fewer numbers of patients being seen. This imbalance of increased expenses and decreased revenue will ultimately result in a greater financial strain on many practices. In addition, physicians must stay abreast of the require- ments for reporting under MACRA/ MIPS. Important changes in Medi- care reporting guidelines occur an- nually. While most physicians prefer to concentrate on clinical care, it is equally important for physicians to be educated on these changes and other possible topics on the legisla- tive agenda. presentations, films, posters, webi- nars, and podcasts. This continues to be the site ophthalmologists all over the world rely on for quality edu- cational materials. In 2017 alone, there were more than 70,000 page views and more than 20,000 users. Second, thanks to ASCRS members Warren Hill, MD, Doug Koch, MD, Li Wang, MD, Graham Barrett, MD, John Berdahl, MD, and many others, the IOL calculators on the ASCRS website are assisting with nearly a million calculations an- nually. Third, the ASCRS Research Council, led by Doug Rhee, MD, will be launching the first large- scale prospective endophthalmitis prophylaxis study. This study has the potential to change how infec- tion prophylaxis in cataract surgery is performed in the United States and worldwide. Fourth, the ASCRS Foundation international programs continue to grow and educate eye care providers around the globe. Do- mestically, the numbers of surgeries provided without charge by volun- teer surgeons in Operation Sight has doubled over the past year. EyeWorld: What are some other big picture issues ASCRS has addressed in the past year? Dr. Henderson: For the organiza- tion, the biggest development this past year has been the selection of a new executive director. David Karcher, who has led this organi- zation for nearly 4 decades, will be retiring at the end of 2018. After a I n the past year, Bonnie Henderson, MD, Boston, has witnessed how ASCRS has evolved to meet changing educational needs and the perennial financial and legislative challenges faced by ophthalmology. Dr. Henderson is clinical professor at Tufts University School of Medicine, and in private practice, Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston. During the ASCRS Opening General Session this morning, Thomas Samuelson, MD, Minneapolis, will replace Dr. Henderson as ASCRS president. Dr. Henderson spoke with EyeWorld about accomplishments and high- lights from the past year. EyeWorld: What do you think are ASCRS' biggest accomplishments from the past year? Dr. Henderson: ASCRS has been very active this year. Please allow me to highlight a few important accomplishments. First, ASCRS con- tinues to be the premier source for anterior segment education. Besides the Annual Meeting offerings, the ASCRS Center for Learning provides ASCRS continues to serve and grow as an educational hub for members Bonnie Henderson, MD

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