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Practitioners and industry: partners serving patients
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June is a great month. School’s out, the weather is nice (yes, even in Rochester), little league is in full swing and it’s time for the American Optometric Association’s Annual Congress. In fact, as I pen this editorial I’m returning from the AOA’s 105th Congress in New Orleans. As usual, I’m glad I attended.
Every year I’m amazed by the magnitude of the AOA Congress. From the opening session — and this year’s speaker, former Pres. Jimmy Carter — to the wide array of quality continuing education and breadth of the exhibit area, there’s plenty to do. Quite frankly, I’m amazed that the week’s events proceed as smoothly as they do. There’s no doubt that the congress’ success is the result of a well-concerted effort by the AOA staff, AOA member volunteer ODs and our industry liaisons. In fact, while AOA staff and volunteers are essential, the congress really couldn’t go on without our partners in industry.
Synergy between ODs, industry
When you think about it, there is a certain synergy between eye care providers and industry. Fundamentally, we share a very core mission: to provide the public with the best vision and ocular health possible. To do such, we provide our patients with a variety of services. And industry provides us (and our patients) with a variety of products, ranging from corrective spectacle and contact lenses to sophisticated diagnostic instrumentation and therapeutic agents.
Indeed, to find better ways to achieve this core mission, practitioners and industry attend educational symposia such as the AOA Congress. It’s really through these venues that eye care providers learn how to implement the latest diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. And it’s through these same meetings that industry better understands our (and our patients’) needs. Ultimately, it’s this ongoing dialogue — in educational sessions and the exhibit hall — that spawns so many ideas beneficial to our patients’ visual welfare.
Spend time with industry colleagues
In the final analysis, we’re fortunate to have industry as a partner. Fortunate to have their ongoing commitment to continuing eye care education, willingness to listen to our needs and a plethora of products to better address our patients’ needs. So the next time you attend a major educational event like the AOA Congress, do spend time with our industry colleagues. They’ll be delighted to hear from you, and you (and your patients) will be glad that you did.