House votes in favor of Board Certification after full day discussion
June 27, 2009
Full house in the House of Delegates, and a full day of debate and discussion. Final vote on the motion to recommend creation of the American Board of Optometry and that it follow the model created by the Joint Board Certification Project Team: 1126 yes to 887 no.
At the annual meeting of the American Optometric Association (AOA), members voted Friday 1,126 to 887 in favor of establishing the American Board of Optometry (ABO) as the entity to develop and implement the framework for board certification and maintenance of certification.
The AOA is one of six optometric organizations that formed the Joint Board Certification Project Team (JBCPT) in 2007 to examine the issue of optometric board certification and propose a model for certification and maintenance of certification that is attainable, credible and defensible.
“Our members’ actions Friday indicate that optometrists see the need for a mechanism to clearly demonstrate continued competency to patients, legislators and payers,” said Randy Brooks, O.D., president of the AOA. “The creation of the American Board of Optometry will provide a unified national platform to establish and demonstrate competency and value and will position our profession solidly for the future.”
The approval process of certification includes board certification and maintenance of certification for optometry and authorizes the AOA to participate in the development, formation, implementation and governance of the American Board of Optometry (ABO) and will give the ABO the authority to officially develop the model for board certification.
“The AOA wishes to thank every delegate for their participation in the discussions surrounding board certification,” said Dr. Brooks. “We are pleased with the adoption of the motion and we will continue to monitor changes and developments in health care reform. Our association is committed to remaining at the forefront of health care and looks forward to optometrists continuing to provide high quality, accessible eye care for all Americans.”
Formal adoption of this resolution is subject to final action by the AOA’s Judicial Council.
The way this whole thing has been handled has left optometry weaker today than it was yesterday. I am strongly considering tending my resignation after 29 years of membership and I may meet with others who were not as passionate in following the proceedings and try to convince them to do likewise.
You have done our profession a great disservice.
If, after all the newsletters, town hall meetings, and years of “planning” for a Board Certification process, we still experienced intense debate and a relatively close vote at the House of Delegates meeting, it is obvious that we remain divided as a profession on this issue. Randy Brooks’ comment that “Our members’ actions Friday indicate that optometrists see the need for a mechanism…” is not only misleading, it is insensitive and acts to throw fuel on the fire.
If, after all the newsletters, town hall meetings, and years of “planning” for a Board Certification process, we still experienced intense debate and a relatively close vote at the House of Delegates meeting, it is obvious that we remain divided as a profession on this issue. Randy Brooks’ comment that “Our members’ actions Friday indicate that optometrists see the need for a mechanism…” is not only misleading, it is insensitive and acts to throw fuel on the fire.
Dr. Malashock is absolutely correct when he says the AOA has done a disservice to the profession. It should be protecting our profession rather than assaulting our profession with this new requirement. The AOA has lost it’s compass! Certification has nothing to do with “positioning our profession for the future”, and everything to do with boosting the treasury of the AOA. No insurance company has ever demanded certification from us. It can’t, if we don’t have it. Could the AOA have had a plan in place, just in case this became a requirement? Absolutely, but you don’t make money with a plan.
With dwindling membership, especially with young ODs, they needed a new source of income outside of membership dues, thus came “certification.” The AOA now has income from almost EVERY licensced OD, not just their membership. Get the kleenex out, because the AOA board is now drooling with the possibilites. Certification income will overcome the income lost from membership loss. You can be sure that this calculation has already been made.
For those of you who have been against certification and/or the way it was accomplished, there are still several things that can come of this. 1) A mass exodus from the AOA, 2) ODs refusing to be certified, after all there is no requirement from any insurance carrier, 3) demanding that AOA gain no benefit from the fees associated with certification. and 4) the development of another advocate group for optometry, since the AOA seems to have become their own advocate and not their profession’s,
This is a sad day in the history of the AOA.