Real-World Ophthalmology: Conference offers pearls for starting practice

Hindsight is 20/20, but now real-time vision can be, too. That knowledge, when applied in real time, can eliminate regrets later.

A new virtual conference will debut on Sept. 18 which can help solve the problems young ophthalmologists face before the problems even happen.

This conference, titled “The Top Ten Things I Wish I Knew Sooner,” is the brainchild of Lisa M. Nijm, MD, JD, medical director, Warrenville Eye Care, Warrenville, Illinois. She has helped young ophthalmologists negotiate the choppy waters of a new practice.

The Agenda
The program is wide-ranging and over 10 sessions covers just about everything a new practitioner might run into while getting a new practice off the ground. The sessions include:

Session I - Things I Wish I Knew before Choosing a Fellowship includes several topics during its 45-minute run, including jumping into comprehensive cataract practice; sharpening your laser for cornea and refractive; glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology, oculoplastics, retina and uveitis.

Session II - Things I Wish I knew about Finding the Right Job covers finding a job in the era of COVID-19. It also focuses on whether to join PE, questions to ask during a private equity interview, and initial contract negotiations.

Session III- Things I Wish I Did Before I Left Residency will shed light on the secret to finding a mentor who is not in the same practice as well as coding mistakes to avoid.

Session IV - Things I Wish I Asked about New & Emerging Therapies will look at the new frontier in presbyopia; delivering results in cataract surgery, dry eye, AMD, proptosis and mites.

Session V - Things I Wish I Asked about New Technology in the Office includes discussions on biometry; MGD procedures; genetic testing for corneal disorders; fundus imaging; and crosslinking.

Session VI - Things I Wish I asked before Flying Solo in the OR sheds light on using different phaco platforms; working with new techs; staff and scheduling; and learning to listen, empathize, apologize and problem solve.

Session VII - Things I Wish I Knew about Using New Technology in the OR explains refractive IOLs; MIGs, SMILE, retina surgery tools, FKLACS and working with industry in the OR.

Session VIII - Things I Wish I Asked about Building a Practice covers developing a referral network; great compliments; and keeping staff happy and the waiting room empty.

Session IX - Things I Still Have Questions About addresses taking care of issues before they become a problem avoiding burnout, social media pearls and risk management pearls.

And Session X - The Things I Really Wished I Asked about Sooner delves into saving your career, ergonomics lessons; acing your ophthalmology boards; getting the most out of meetings; and the money talk physicians might wish they had in training.

Each segment of the program will run from 35 to 60 minutes and is followed by a question-and-answer session.

Other opportunities
During the program, attendees will have an opportunity to submit a question on a topic to be addressed during the session.

Those submissions will be answered anonymously and can be addressed to Tamara Fountain, MD, president of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and numerous others during a Fireside Chat, as well as Richard Lindstrom, MD, who will field questions on the hot seat. Ophthalmologists can submit their questions using this link: https://www.realworldophthalmology.com/contact-1

Moreover, attendee also have the opportunity to nominate exemplary candidates in training or those who have been in practice for their first 10 years.

The awards include Excellence in Patient Care, Remarkable Research, Exemplary Teacher, Incredible Innovation & Scientific Contribution, Inspiring Humanitarian, Exceptional Leadership, Extraordinary Mentorship, and Outstanding Professionalism and Ethics.

A nomination form is available on the conference website at hppts://www.realworldophthalmology.com

The conference also will feature a chance to participate in the Real World Ophthalmology Scavenger Hunt.

The conference is scheduled to run from 8 AM to 5:30 PM central time. Early sign-up is suggested because of limited seating in the virtual platform.

The cost is free to ophthalmologists in training or in their first 10 years of practice.

Visit the website at https://www.realworldophthalmology.com