This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
PCON Symposium helps practitioners implement new technologies
|
|
Reflecting back on 25 years of optometric practice, I’m utterly amazed by all that has changed. Undoubtedly, technology has driven much of this change, influencing every aspect of practice – the way in which we communicate with, diagnose and treat our patients. With rare exception, technology has dramatically improved quality of care … and our patients’ lives.
Technological advances: positive yet challenging
While technological advances are largely positive, their implementation is not without challenge. It’s not as though we wake up one morning with a clear grasp of and a firm conviction to integrate a given technology. Rather, it is human nature to struggle with technologic change. We struggle with understanding it, forecasting its impact and assimilating it into our daily routine. As if this process isn’t daunting enough, we might very well be contemplating a number of technologies at any given time.
Continuing education evolves
It is for this reason that continuing optometric education is so important. While our formal training and national board examinations assures a core competency, they are simply unable to prepare us for the long road ahead. Continuing education, on the other hand, constantly evolves to address our needs in the face of ever-changing technology. In much the same way that technology changes, so does the way in which we learn about it.
Years ago, continuing optometric education was pretty simple. The lecturer presented and attendees listened. While this “boilerplate” approach was an effective means for disseminating information, it wasn’t necessarily the best way to learn. The format was often tedious, detached and anything but stimulating.
Today, continuing optometric education is evolving as quickly as its subject matter. Venues such as our Primary Care Optometry News Symposium offer timely information in an interactive and thought provoking format.
CE through innovation
Since its inception, our Primary Care Optometry News Symposium has strived to provide continuing education through innovation. Our multiple lecturer approach promotes a diversity of opinion, editorial balance and an engaging approach to each topic. Courses are designed with ample discussion time among faculty and attendees to further enrich each participant’s educational experience.
This year, we’ve added three new features. When registering for the meeting online, attendees can submit questions to be addressed during the symposium in topic-related courses. We will also implement an audience response system to further encourage attendee participation. And our new “Meet the Faculty” reception provides a more relaxed atmosphere in which attendees can further discuss clinical issues.
We understand the time constraints many of our colleagues face. To this end, we’ve made every effort to assure our Primary Care Optometry News Symposium is contemporary, fast paced and interactive, in short, time well spent. We’re looking forward to having you join us in Philadelphia.