Ophthalmologists must become more politically involved for effective patient, physician advocacy

SAN FRANCISCO — Ophthalmologists should increase their advocacy efforts for both patients and fellow physicians by running for state legislature, advocating to elected officials and developing relationships with their representative and senators, according to a speaker here.

S. William Clark III, MD, chair of the American Academy of Ophthalmology Inc. Political Committee, said at the joint meeting of the AAO and the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology that effective advocacy is key to delivering the best eye care.

"I think the future of our profession depends on more ophthalmologists stepping up to get involved in the process," he said. "This is going to take time out of your practice, this is going to take time away from patients, this is going to take a whole lot of money."

He suggested that ophthalmologists run for state legislature because effective state legislators have a high rate of success when running for congress. As a member of congress, an ophthalmologist could advocate on the behalf of fellow physicians and patients from a legislative standpoint, he said.