Ophthalmic Education https://www.opsweb.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1074854 Mon, 20 Jul 2026 14:13:45 GMT Tue, 17 Feb 2015 22:50:52 GMT Copyright © 2015 Ophthalmic Photographers' Society Ophthalmic Education https://www.opsweb.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1074854 https://www.opsweb.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1074854 We are blessed to live in a time of MORE Ophtalmmic Imaging Education , not less.   The OPS continues to be the leader in the field of all things Ophthalmic Imaging.  Their Annual and Mid Year meetings bar none offer the finest in workshop and didactic education. I am proud and honored to have been a part of this organization since 1980.

 To fill in the gaps you have a variety of experienced educators to name a few:  JMC Eye Photo, Invision Imaging, EyeScan, Mobile Eye US, EyeTeachU, EYESessential Education, and the Bryson-Taylor group.   A shout out to JCAHPO as well.

 We have books, EyeTube, YouTube and a wonderful variety of on line tutorials offered by the various imaging vendors.  It is a virtual plethora of offerings.

To hear anyone at this time state that "I can't get the education I need" speaks volumes on the will and the capacity of that individual.  The information is out there for those that seek it.  While it is not always "paid" for by the employer, nonethe less the opportunities exist at very afffordable price points.

 

Respectfully

Denice Barsness, CRA, COMT, ROUB, CDOS

Full disclosure:  teaching for OPS, JCAHPO, ATPO,CPMC,  EyeTeachU, EYEssential Educationa and JMC Eye Photo.

 

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In some cases it seems like an uphill battle to change this mentality, especially when there are courses at physicians’ meetings that teach “how to lower your overhead” – not paying for education /training unfortunately seems to be on the list of things that, in their opinion, can be sacrificed to improve the bottom line.

The vendors who provide us with amazing new instruments to contribute to the best eye care some times are the ones who undermine the need for excellent training. The ”ease of use”, “anyone on your staff can use this instrument”, “point and shoot” concept is used as a marketing tool for sales, and of course, that is what the vendors have to do – promote and sell their products. This concept is not very comfortable for those who have chosen imaging as a profession and seek to improve their medical and technical skills beyond that basic knowledge. In-house training is a great way to get several staff members fine-tuned on the practice’s instruments.

Denice is also correct in pointing out that many people in technical fields feel justified in limiting their knowledge and expertise only to what the practice demands, and whether the practice pays for their educational opportunity. Some feel the same way about recertifying – if the practice won’t pay for it, they don’t do it. My feeling is that any certification belongs to the person who took the steps to become certified, just as a college degree is “owned” by the individual who earned it. When you leave a practice for another position, the certification doesn’t stay with that practice as part of their assets… it is the individual’s and proof of their individual efforts and success.

I’m not sure how to change the culture back, or actually forward, to a more training and expertise friendly environment. There are many forces at work. But advocacy starts in a person’s work place, and a well thought out proposal for why more training would be advantageous couldn’t hurt. There are positives to each kind of educational experience, (national meeting, in-house, webinar), and so a blend of all makes good sense. There are more learning opportunities now than ever before for the individual who wants to expand their knowledge and skills.

But the value of meeting with other professionals, exchanging ideas and relating stories – building community with other professionals so that you have a sense of belonging and a chance to network can’t be understated. Going outside of your everyday environment to learn new perspectives and skills from individuals who have different techniques and different experience can enhance your skills and build your enthusiasm and pride in what you do.

Professional organizations excel at bringing new ideas and new people together – having people from all over the imaging world come together to teach and learn is part of the OPS mission as Eye Imaging Experts. Every organization made up of ophthalmic technical personnel seeks to provide high quality educational experiences for their members.

The list of people who provide training is impressive – private company or organization. But this is a new era: the problem is figuring out how to get today’s practice management and cost conscious physician to recognize the true value of that training. The article that Tim provided a link to is a good start. Personal advocacy is another. And we all need to advocate for each other, our co-workers and colleague, to try to change the course of this current march.

Since so much of this issue seems to be related to finances, perhaps we will find out best “unwitting” advocates in the Medicare reimbursement and insurance arenas as they try to control the outflow of cash for poorly done, unnecessary procedures.

Just my opinion.
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