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Outside forces drive need for board certification, continued competence
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 Michael D. DePaolis |
June 26, 2009, will undoubtedly be remembered as a pivotal day in optometry’s history. It was on this day that the American Optometric Association’s (AOA’s) House of Delegates passed a resolution to move our profession forward with respect to board certification. It marked the culmination of a decade of debate on a subject that largely polarized the profession.
During this decade we heard a myriad of opinions from virtually all stakeholders, including the AOA, American Academy of Optometry, Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry, Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, American Optometric Student Association, National Board of Examiners in Optometry and practicing optometrists. While June 26 was a fitting culmination – with 6 hours of debate – the resolution ultimately passed. However, it did not do so by a large margin.
So, what now? How do we – as a profession – move forward in a unified way? Personally, I believe we do so by acknowledging three considerations.
First, and foremost, let us not forget this is still a fairly contentious subject. For this reason, we should proceed cautiously in clarifying and finalizing the board certification process. It is equally important we proceed in a transparent fashion, as this increases the likelihood of optometric board certification being ultimately perceived as a fair, balanced and effective means of assuring continued clinical competency.
Second, we need a consensus backing of the AOA. I realize many feel the whole concept of board certification is ridiculous – that it is costly, redundant and an insult to an existing educational process. However, let’s remember it is not the AOA – or any other optometric regulatory body – driving this mandate. The demand for board certification (or some other form of assured continuing clinical competency) is being driven by the government, private sector insurers and consumer advocacy groups.
While these entities have not yet mandated board certification, indications are they are favoring this direction. Ignoring this trend is a risk we can ill afford to take. AOA provides a strong, unified voice for optometry as we address this issue. Abandoning the AOA only weakens optometry and, thereby, our ability to legislate locally and nationally.
Finally, it is essential that we realize this issue is bigger than optometry. While we feel as though our optometric training, national boards, state licensure examinations and continuing education requirements are adequate for assuring continued clinical competency, not everyone agrees. Insurers, health care delivery systems and patient advocacy groups are all increasingly interested in some form of continued clinical competency assessment. Is it just another example of overregulation? Perhaps. However, it is real.
My sense is that board certification will ultimately make us all a little better at what we do. Is that such a bad thing? I’m guessing our patients would think not.