Editorial
Over this last year, it has been a great honor and privilege for me to serve as both the President of the American Orthoptic Council (AOC) and the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS). The synergy between these two organizations is undeniable. AAPOS sends six uncompensated representatives to the Council and contributes financially to the workings of the Council. As the Certifying Organization for practitioners of Orthoptics, the Council influences the quality of Orthoptists, the natural physician extender for AAPOS members.
In an exciting development, the Section of Ophthalmology of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has made available a level of membership for Orthoptist. As a member of the Executive Committee of the Section, I have learned first hand the powers of advocacy of the AAP with respect to Children’s Eyes. The AAP is the Good Guy in the White Hat, not a combatant in a turf battle. Many of the political issues of the Orthoptist can be handled in this arena. Have you joined yet?
Concerning quality and recertification, the Council has worked hard to modernize the statement of Ethics. The validity of a Certifying Certificate from the AOC will be enhanced by the requirement that a current time limited ID card accompany the certificate. To enhance the financial situation of the Orthoptist, the council has created a document better defining the role of the Orthoptist for medical administrators.
Another exciting development is on the horizon! Delhousie University has created a Masters program in Orthoptics. We are hopeful that this program may be accessible for Certified Orthoptists through distance learning techniques. Much of the details are to be developed/discussed at the upcoming AOC meeting. A Masters degree will go a long way towards enhancing the profession of Orthoptics and the career of an Orthoptist.
How to create the supply of Orthoptists to satisfy the demand is one of the greatest challenges facing us today. Many of the training programs have unfilled slots while candidates in other parts of the country go untrained. ONLY an Orthoptist can train an Orthoptist. We need more training slots in other areas of the country.
Are you in a practice with sufficient clinical volume to train a student? Can you provide 50 hours of didactics over 2 years? One half hour per week or one hour every two weeks is not that much. Many of the lectures are written for you. We can help you make available the remaining 150 hours through videotapes, distance learning techniques, basic science courses, and other means. We have the manual and will provide the mentor to help you, to walk you through the process of setting up a program to train Orthoptists. Call the AOC office or go to the website to get more information.
This is a wonderful time to be an Orthoptist. We need you to work within AAPOS and the Ophthalmology section of the AAP to better the field of Eyecare for Kids and Adults with Strabismus. Help us to train more Orthoptists (recruit new trainees, develop more training programs) and to promote the profession.
Help Orthoptics grow.