gms | German Medical Science

Representation of the Ophthalmology Profession in the Public domain is absolutely critical at all levels, community, region, nation and continent.

Critical decisions and expressions by policy makers, public media and health care management must be informed and tempered by the genuine statement of our Profession’s responsibility to both the patient and the ophthalmic surgeon.

National Ophthalmology organizations such as DOC and AAO share a trusted role and responsibility to lead our colleagues thru a synchronized expression of unified, consensus vision and voice.

Lobbying for the patient’s best interest thru Enhanced Education and Training, Technologically Advanced surgical and pharmaceutical capacities, streamlined electronic communication and management systems is even more critical in the face of expanding health care capacities. Additionally decisions occur at a variety of arenas including legislative, regulatory and public service.

Representation of underserved populations as well as the private insurance domain requires harmonized governmental, NGO and volunteer effort, always influenced by Public Awareness and the trusted voice of the Physician.

Lobbyism is an art, not a commonly learned medical university skill. It is also considered distasteful by many. Additional factors often fracture and splinter our profession, leading to mixed messages. Too often reluctance leads to inaction, unfavorable policy decisions and colleagues complaining, “how did this happen.”

** In the USA, this failure to act together has led to Non physicians acquiring surgical privileges in several states. Europe is by far immune with several countries inquiring as to “How to Lobby?” The likelihood of this virus becoming pandemic is high.

In this environment the DOC and the AAO and the wider medical community share responsibility to re-educate our colleagues at all levels and lead them to the doorstep (the “Lobby”) of those whose decisions influence our Patient’s best interests.