On the most recent episode of RWO: The Podcast, podcast hosts Dr. Lisa Nijm and Dr. Grayson Armstrong are joined by CEO of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), Dr. Stephen McLeod, to discuss the evolving landscape of ophthalmology. He shares his experiences in leadership, discusses recent trends and emerging opportunities in the field, and provides valuable insights to young trainees regarding ways to get involved within the broader ophthalmic community.
3 Key Takeaways:
1. The field of ophthalmology has immense potential for continued scientific discovery, equity-focused initiatives, and building a strong community to advocate for high-quality patient care as well as for provider wellness
2. Ophthalmologists have to work hand-in-hand with physicians in other medical specialties in order to address the needs of the whole patient. Working collaboratively is key in maintaining eye care as a priority in the organized medical community
3. Physicians have a societal responsibility to shape healthcare, balancing individual patient needs with the needs of the larger population
In particular, Dr. McLeod states that he believes there are three pivotal forces that are reshaping the ophthalmology landscape:
1. Vision Sciences Research: Immense progress in research within the visual sciences has opened new avenues to enhance patient care – examples include advances in treating macular degeneration or dry eye disease, and the revolutionary potential of gene therapy for inherited retinal disease.
2. Emphasis on Health Equity: Ophthalmology is uniquely positioned to address health inequities with tools such as the IRIS registry. The registry, the nation’s premier comprehensive eye disease clinical database, presents an avenue for tangibly addressing population-level patient issues such as ensuring vision outcomes are shared among all patient populations.
3. Community Engagement: There is incredible strength in the fabric of the ophthalmic community, a tapestry woven not just by active members of the AAO but by countless mentors and educators shaping the profession’s future. The voice of the profession is stronger when we work together. Additionally, engagement in this community can play an active role in addressing challenges of provider wellness, burnout, and stress by cultivating an environment where ophthalmologist can grow and support one another.
Dr. McLeod highlights the interdisciplinary nature of the profession, encompassing health policy, patient education, and advocacy as integral aspects. Reflecting on leadership, McLeod underscores the quintessential role physicians play in the healthcare landscape. As the individuals uniquely equipped to balance individual and population needs, physicians hold the reins to navigate the multifaceted challenges presented to healthcare by private equity, insurance dynamics, and global crises like the pandemic, that can sometimes seem out of our control. This shared responsibility, he acknowledged, might seem daunting but simultaneously serves as an inspiring impetus for change.
While it’s not surprising that vision preservation is high on every patient’s priority list, Dr. McLeod candidly addresses the challenge ophthalmologists face in carving out a role within organized medicine. He underscores the need to ensure resources essential for delivering top-notch care are readily available, all while securing a prominent role in the medical pedigree. Ophthalmology is often set apart from hospital-based specialties due to our unique clinical and surgical practices, but Dr. McLeod fervently champions the importance of maintaining robust connections with our medical colleagues across subspecialties.
For young ophthalmologists who want to be more involved, there is fertile ground within the academy's mission to protect sight and empower lives through education, advocacy, and patient-centered research. The AAO, he noted, is a mosaic of diverse minds, reflecting its founding commitment to education and its strength deriving from the engagement of its members. For newcomers, Dr. McLeod offers insightful counsel on the essence of community-driven empowerment. Highlighting the significance of identifying mentors within professional circles, he emphasizes the value of diverse perspectives in shaping one's journey. As individuals transition from training to their early careers, the importance of a robust and supportive professional community takes center stage – in fact, “power comes from community”. Sharing experiences and knowledge fuels innovation and propels the field of ophthalmology to new horizons.
Dr. McLeod's insights offer guidance to both established professionals and those just embarking on their careers. At its core, ophthalmology is a dynamic field representing the fusion of scientific advances, professional mentorship, and a collective commitment to addressing broader healthcare dynamics. For more on this topic, be sure to tune into the Real World Ophthalmology Podcast available on Spotify, Apple podcast, Cast box or on our website realworldophthalmology.com .
Bela Parekh is a fourth year medical student at The University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor, MI. Join us for the next episode of the Real World Ophthalmology podcast to learn from experts in the field. Real World Ophthalmology is a platform made for and by early career ophthalmologists and trainees to learn how to succeed in their early practice.
