This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Board certification: where do we go from here?
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
It was, indeed, a sight to behold. The room was at capacity, the delegates primed for debate and the atmosphere charged. It was June 23rd at the American Optometric Association’s (AOA’s) House of Delegates, and board certification was on the agenda. Of all the AOA Congresses I’ve attended, I cannot recall such an august gathering during the House of Delegates. And for good reason. Since its approval at last year’s AOA Congress in San Antonio, the American Board of Optometric Practice (ABOP) has evoked a great deal of emotion, confusion and controversy among optometrists.
The great board certification debate
Over the past year there have been numerous arguments. ABOP proponents maintain that board certification is essential for optometry to maintain its managed care position and to gain hospital privileges. Opponents rebut with examples in which board certification is not necessary in either scenario. Critics contend that ABOP was conceived and orchestrated by a select few, is not representative of mainstream optometry and is being mandated from above. Supporters point out that many of optometry’s greatest accomplishments – including therapeutic legislation – began in the same fashion, largely due to the efforts of a few visionaries.
In fact, ABOP proponents feel that because many medical specialties have board certification, it is time that optometry does as well. ABOP detractors contend that board certification implies a “specialty,” quite contrary to optometry’s role as primary eye care providers. For every point, a counterpoint. And the debate raged on.
Regardless of where you stand on the issue of board certification, you have to be impressed by what transpired on June 23. The issues were debated (long before the congress), the optometric community voiced its opinion and democracy prevailed. In light of its divisive nature, our delegates acted prudently by “staying” ABOP and convening a national summit on board certification and continued competency. In essence, they recognized that a fragmented profession would be in nobody’s best interest.
As I see it, the real issue is not ABOP, HMO accreditation, hospital privileges or even the unity of optometry. The real issue is change. Times change and societal expectations change. Indeed, this is perfectly evident with the “quality” movement. Educators are held to more stringent levels of proficiency, corporations must meet NCQA [National Committee on Quality Assurance] standards, and manufacturers strive for ISO [International Standards Organization] recognition. Should optometry be any different? And how do we assure society (and our patients) of continued competency? For years, we’ve assumed that an optometric doctorate, completion of our national boards, licensure by our respective states and attending continuing education courses was enough. But, is it? Only time – and the summit – will tell.