Wednesday, February 29, 2012

After Hours Availability


Not often do optometrists think about their after hours availability.  In fact, for some doctors, this concern is never a concern or problem.  It’s even required by many vision and medical care plans as a condition to being a panel provider. There is wide latitude on how after hours care is handled.  It ranges from a message to call the nearest hospital emergency department to the doctor’s own cell phone.
Whatever approach a doctor takes, it telegraphs clearly to the patient how emergencies are handled.  It also implies whether the doctor is ready, willing and interested in caring for the patient beyond glasses and contact lenses. Because medical eye and chronic care conditions are becoming more important in optometry, setting the tone for your practice that it goes beyond glasses and contact lens care is important.
The customary answering machine  that offers a call back number or a number to an emergency department is common. If a personal after hours number is used, this gives the practice a chance to personally manage the patient. Otherwise, giving the nearest emergency department number actually provides no direction; in other words, it is the patient’s responsibility to find the emergency department.
Any kind of call back number can be used.  It could be a single cellular phone that is passed around the office to the doctor who is “on call” or it could be the doctor’s personal cellular phone dedicated for emergency calls.  Because mobile phones are so prevalent, text messaging a doctor for an emergency is like having a private paging number just for you. Text messaging is known to have the highest callback rate in communications with estimates reaching 90% call back within a few minutes.  Patients rarely abuse this policy.
If patient management and retention are primary goals in a practice, it makes sense to intervene with the doctor rather than using the nearest emergency department. Doctors who are quick to ride the medical eye care train will find that offering a chance for a patient to directly talk with the doctor encourages practice loyalty and can make your after hours care a source of revenue and customer service.

Optometry Schools: Research And Pick The Right One


Arе уου looking fοr gοοd optometry schools? Working аѕ a optometrist wіll give уου thе chance tο hаνе a nice career, bυt spend time wіth уουr family tοο. It іѕ similar tο οthеr professions such аѕ dentistry. Whеn working аѕ аn optometrist, уου wіll mοѕt lіkеlу hаνе regular business hours аnd nοt bе οn call аt аll hours οf thе night. Whаt mаkеѕ thіѕ profession even more іntеrеѕtіng іѕ thаt уου wіll receive a nice income fοr уουr hard work.
Hοwеνеr, before уου саn work аѕ аn optometrist, уου hаνе tο gеt accepted іntο one οf thе 16 optometry schools іn thе United States. Dο nοt allow thе small number οf schools tο mislead уου. Aѕ a matter οf fact, іt іѕ extremely difficult tο gеt іntο thеѕе schools. Sο, іf уου hаνе mаdе thе dесіѕіοn tο work іn thе optometry profession whеrе уου wіll hаνе a grеаt work environment, hаνе аn above salary аnd hаνе many chances tο grow within уουr profession, thеn уου ѕhουld find thіѕ article very іntеrеѕtіng.
Optometry School Admission
Although thеrе аrе οnlу a few optometry schools, thіѕ dοеѕ nοt mean thаt thе competition іѕ nοt stiff. Hοwеνеr, each οf thе 16 schools thаt аrе іn thе United States hаѕ thеіr οwn separate application requirements. Bυt, уου саn еіthеr gеt thіѕ information οn уουr οwn bу calling each school, οr уου саn contact thе Association οf Schools аnd Colleges οf Optometry fοr a short description οf each school’s requirements. Thе ASCO саn provide уου wіth a summarized listing οf whаt each school hаѕ tο offer.
Picking Out аn Optometry School
Bесаυѕе аll optometry schools require different things frοm applicants, picking one іѕ οftеn nοt thаt easy fοr many students. Aѕ a matter οf fact, thе final dесіѕіοn іѕ usually based upon things such аѕ thе size οf thе school, thе school location аnd quite naturally thе cost. Hοwеνеr, уου ѕhουld look аt thе following things before уου сhοοѕе a optometry school.
Yου ѕhουld nοt bе inconvenienced. Sure, уου hаνе a dream tο become аn optometrist, bυt mаkе sure thаt thе school hаѕ a lot οf features thаt уου саn take advantage οf. Dο уου need tο bе οn a smaller campus instead οf a lаrgеr one? If уου know thаt optometry schools wіth large campuses аrе nοt fοr уου, thеn look fοr ones thаt hаνе small campuses. Yου wіll gеt more out οf іt іf уου саn relate tο thе environment.
Dοеѕ thіѕ school hаνе features thаt wіll benefit уου οn a daily basis? Whаt dοеѕ thіѕ school hаνе thаt mаkеѕ іt different frοm others іn terms οf thе learning experience? Fοr example, уου wіll spend a lot οf уουr time іn thе school’s optometry clinic. Mаkе sure thаt уουr school οf сhοісе hаѕ adequate space аnd resources. In thіѕ instance, уου want tο learn іn a clinic environment іn whісh іt hаѕ real world value, bυt уου dο nοt want thе clinic tο bе tοο bіg tο serve thіѕ purpose.
Cаn уου afford thіѕ particular optometry school? Basically, optometry schools саn bе a bit pricey. Hοwеνеr, іf уου want tο bе a раrt οf thіѕ profession, уου mіght hаνе tο bite уουr tongue аnd јυѕt jump іn. Look around fοr thе best student loans. If уου still feel thе pinch, thеn see іf thеrе аrе ways tο сυt corners. Possibly a smaller school mіght hеlр уου financially.
All іn аll, thе optometry profession іѕ still very much іn demand. Hοwеνеr, before уου саn work іn thіѕ exciting career, уου mυѕt first research optometry schools аnd find thе one thаt саn mаkе уουr dreams οf become аn optometrist come tο life. It іѕ a matter οf doing thе research аnd thеn picking thе best one according tο іtѕ size, cost аnd whаt іt hаѕ tο offer уου іn thе long rυn.
In order tο become аn optometrist, уου wіll need tο gеt іntο аn optometry school. Becoming аn optometrist саn bе very challenging; hοwеνеr, thе optometrist salary аnd career іѕ very rewarding.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Share Chicago\'s Largest Independent, Multi-Specialty Physician Group Selects Merge Healthcare To Create Enterprise-Wide Imaging Strategy

Share Chicago\'s Largest Independent, Multi-Specialty Physician Group Selects Merge Healthcare To Create Enterprise-Wide Imaging Strategy

PRESS RELEASE Feb. 13, 2012, 9:16 a.m. EST One Year Later, School-based Eye Clinic Confirms Needed Service


CHICAGO, Feb. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- More than 5,000 Chicago Public School students benefit from Illinois College of Optometry program
The Illinois College of Optometry is proud to announce that its partnership with the Chicago Public Schools to open a school-based eye clinic has resulted in treatment for more than 5,000 CPS students in the one year since it opened.
The clinic at Princeton Elementary School on the city's South Side was established in January 2011 as part of Chicago Vision Outreach, a program that provides charitable eye health and vision care to Chicago's underserved populations. It is the first known model in the nation to deliver eye care services year-round to an urban school district. CPS estimates that 25 percent of its students fail vision screenings each year, have broken or lost glasses, or fail to get the eye exam mandated by law to enter an Illinois school system.
"During the last year, we have seen a lot of children with significant vision problems. Some children were using friends' or siblings' glasses, and some kids had eye health issues that had never been identified or had been identified, but never treated," says Sandra Block, OD, ICO professor and medical clinic director. "The clinic is part of a solution to address the unmet need of vision care for children within the city of Chicago; it is helping to eliminate one barrier to improved academic performance for many students."
The clinic is outfitted with 13 professional eye exam lanes and is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ICO students provide much of the clinical care under the supervision of experienced optometrists, and the more complex cases are referred to the Illinois Eye Institute, ICO's clinical facility, for further testing.
Data gathered from the student visits this past year demonstrate the great need for the clinic. Approximately 75 percent of the treated children needed new or replacement glasses. Strabismus was present in 6.2 percent of the students, and amblyopia was identified in 8.5 percent. Previously undiagnosed glaucoma was found in two cases.
Melissa Coleman, an optician at the clinic, says it has been a very rewarding experience to deliver new glasses to the students. "They've been going so long without being able to see properly," she says. "Most of the time they say 'Wow! Everything looks so big and so close to me!'"
The program is currently funded through state reimbursement and private grants from the Lloyd A. Fry Foundation, the Chicago Community Trust, Alcon and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois. For a complete list of supporting organizations and individuals, visit www.ico.edu .
About the Illinois College of Optometry
The Illinois College of Optometry (ICO), founded in 1872 by Dr. Henry Olin, provides excellence in optometric clinical education and is among the world's leading urban optometric institutions. Located in Chicago, ICO has a distinguished legacy of providing aspiring optometrists the education and experience needed to meet the challenges of a changing health care environment and become leaders who will champion their patients and the profession alike. For more information about the Illinois College of Optometry, visit www.ico.edu .
SOURCE Illinois College of Optometry
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Emerson School student keeps eye on philanthropy with project - Park Ridge Herald-Advocate

Emerson School student keeps eye on philanthropy with project - Park Ridge Herald-Advocate

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Milligan College announces new dual degree options

By
Milligan College students now have additional options to shorten the time required to earn both bachelor’s and professional degrees.
Milligan has announced new dual degree and affiliation agreements with two Tennessee colleges, the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis and Union University’s School of Pharmacy in Jackson. The college has similar agreements with the pharmacy schools at East Tennessee State University and Mercer University in Atlanta.
“Milligan students can complete three years of the allied health science course work and then, if accepted, begin pharmacy or optometry school,” said Milligan Interim Academic Dean Dr. Garland Young. “Successful completion of one year in either of these graduate programs would in turn satisfy the requirements for a bachelor of science degree from Milligan, allowing students to complete a bachelor’s degree at Milligan and a doctorate from an affiliate program in as few as seven years.”
The affiliation agreements also allow Milligan students who meet specific criteria to receive a guaranteed interview at these schools if they meet the conditions of the agreement, including prerequisite coursework, as well as GPA and standardized testing requirements.
“We are excited to partner with Union and the Southern College of Optometry as there are shared benefits,” said Milligan President Dr. Bill Greer. “Milligan students who aspire to enter these graduate programs will receive a competitive boost in the admissions process. In turn, these colleges benefit from the quality applicants Milligan prepares with the foundational knowledge needed for their success.”
For more information about Milligan’s allied health science degree, contact the Office of Admissions Office at 461-8730, or email admissions@milligan.edu.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Everything You Wanted to Know About Optometry Schools


Everything You Wanted to Know About Optometry Schools

The number of optometry schools in America is limited – there are 20 schools in all, including the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico. That makes it just 19 schools in the whole of USA. There’s more grief – the class size of each school is restricted. That means to get into optometry schools, a student must get great grades. Here’s how such schools deliver education:
The Doctor of Optometry (OD) Degree
Optometry schools offer the OD degree. The program is full-time and takes four years to complete. Every school offers its students access to physical and human resources to supplement their studies. Students have to engage in research and clinical work as well. After graduating, the student becomes competent enough to practice in any part of America.
Optometry Schools – Minimum Requirements
The minimum requirements are demanding because the schools are few. The most demanding schools require applicants to complete courses in psychology, biology, physics, statistics, chemistry (general, organic, and biochemistry), and physiology. Though non-demanding optometry schools include these subjects in their first year curriculum, it is best that the student prepares and includes these courses in his field of study before applying for an OD degree.
Coursework
Getting a OD degree is tough work. Students must complete courses in bacteriology, immunology, basic sciences, genetics, neuro-anatomy, etc. They also must complete an OD thesis.
Students also have to participate in clinical activities and assist in patient care. They have to gain experience by working in clinics where they must learn to examine patients, understand how medicine is prescribed, prescribe therapies, and manage procedures including emergency and advanced diagnostic procedures. They also get to work in specialty clinics where they must participate and assist in the treatment of ocular disease, binocular vision, occupational vision and other complex conditions impacting the visual system.
Reputed optometry schools typically sign teacher-exchange agreements with other schools. Students are also required to participate in community welfare programs.
Licensure
OD degree holders can start their practice after obtaining a license from the state. Optometry schools sufficiently prepare the student for the state licensing exams. Here’s what the graduate has to go through in order to get a state license. The following state exams are based on laws prevalent in the state of California. Graduates should note that every state has its own laws.
All students who want a license in California must pass a 3-part exam conducted by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry. The exam includes a hands-on test in clinical skills. In addition to these exams, the graduate must also pass the State Board’s Optometry Laws and Regulation exam.
All practicing graduates are also required to complete a certain number of hours in continuing education every 2 years. The continuing education must cover specific eye conditions like ocular infections, glaucoma, steroid use, etc.
Residency Programs and specializations offered by Optometry Schools
About 20% of new students choose a residency. A residency is typically a 1-year program and is considered very important. Residency students are expected to specialize in any one of the following:
  • Primary care
  • Pediatrics
  • Contact Lenses/Cornea
  • Low vision/Geriatric
  • Binocular vision
  • Ocular disease
Residents also must complete a research project related to their specialty and help teach other OD degree students. Every residency program is impacted by the funding that a college receives.
The market for fresh OD degree holders
There is a huge clinical faculty demand across USA for ODs with residency training. The paycheck’s handsome and so, many graduates choose to teach after completing their residency program. Every OD must obtain a state license before starting a practice or getting employment in a healthcare setting.
Optometry schools – Strengths
  1. The number of optometry schools is limited and demand for admissions is high, and therefore every school is picky and choosy about new admissions. This is why most schools boast that they are host to top-ranking students.
  2. Most optometry schools give access to a wide range of educational opportunities. Students participate in clinical work, research, studies, work at externship sites, and more, and can expect to get a 360-degree experience of the profession.
  3. The school also prepares students adequately for state licensure.
Optometry Schools – Challenges
  1. Optometry students represent a confluence of cultures, race and ethnicities. Students can be Asian, Caucasians, Hispanic, African or from any other race. Managing such a culturally diverse body of students sometimes poses a challenge.
  2. Getting top-class faculty is another challenge. There is a shortage of optometry faculty across America even though the number of colleges is small.
  3. Funding gets in the way of residency training and many times funding limitations make the school accommodate a lesser number of residents per year.
Conclusion
This was all the information you ever needed to know about optometry schools. If you want to become an optometrist, then you must plan very early because the number of schools and faculty is not going to increase in a hurry. Good luck.