Letters

Optometric Management, Feb 2003

READERS VOICE THEIR OPINIONS

Addressing Real Needs

I enjoyed your recent article, "Women in Optometry: A Special Report" (December 2002). It's great seeing the face of the optometric profession change to better reflect the communities we live and practice in. The presence of women in optometry is well overdue. I hope that this change will help initiate change in optometry itself, which, in my opinion, is also well overdue.

Presently, many state boards' rules and regulations on optometric corporate affiliation have made it difficult for women in optometry to get health care, maternity care and paid maternity leave. Additional hardships for many young female O.D.s also comes from the difficulty in which many O.D.s find when trying to relocate to another state. Female optometrists tend to be young and mobile in their lifestyles and don't always open a practice in one location and stay there until retirement. We need to make reciprocation of licenses easier, not harder, to help in the mobility and flexibility of our profession.

The real story isn't the change in the composition of the profession, but what new needs and issues we should address with regard to having more women in the profession.

Jeff Smith, O.D., M.B.A

Twinsburg, Ohio

Defining Standards

Regarding your column Malpractice Management, I wanted to take the opportunity to thank Dr. Sherman for bringing these real-life cases to our attention. These cases provide an excellent source of material in malpractice management for our practices. This particular case (September 2002) clearly indicates his frustration with the skills of the insurance company's attorney and with the skills of the ophthalmologist.

Unfortunately, it reveals that too often within the current system, the standard for medical malpractice isn't the "medical standard of care," but the "lottery" aspect of the jury system and the risk evaluation of the insurance company.

Bradley Kardatzke, O.D., J.D., M.B.A.

Irving, Texas

You Have to Start Somewhere

After reading two letters in the October issue from the "junior" optometrists, I've concluded that they expected to make good money right after graduation. One writer, "Rethinking Our Career" (October 2002), complains of being in debt and that the "older" O.D. wanted him to work evenings. It appears that the writer is unhappy with optometry - maybe it's time for him to find another occupation.

The author of, "Pay Juniors Fairly," expects a decent salary and benefits from a senior O.D., but can't find one. I'm a senior O.D. who's been in practice for 29 years. It took me 10 years to pay off my college debt. I worked for a senior O.D. for one year after graduation at a minimum salary, but it was a great learning experience - one you can't get in optometry school. Then I started a solo practice and worked weekends and evenings without income for a long time.

After investing my time and labor, the money started coming in. Realize that most "senior" O.D.s also start at the bottom and that the money does get better.

J.S. Schleicher, O.D., Ann Arbor, Mich.

Looking for Buyers

We're in private practice in Central Wisconsin and have been unsuccessful in finding O.D.s who are looking for opportunities to buy into a private practice. After reading the letter to the editor, "Rethinking Our Career," we see that O.D.s are looking, but we just don't know how to find them. If anyone reading this is interested, please write to us at:

P.O. Box 1296, Marshfield, WI 54449

Name withheld upon request

Consider This

I just read the letter, "Rethinking Our Career," in the October issue from a couple who's questioning their career decision. I'd like to recommend that they consider a tour in one of the military services. If they both did a tour, they'd make a good salary, have a professional working environment, free medical care and many other benefits. They'd also have weekends free to work elsewhere, if they chose to do so.

Wayne M. Cannon, O.D., F.A.A.O., Ret Col USAR, via e-mail