Message from CAO President, Dr. Michael Dennis
Each January, CAO convenes the Optometric Leadership Forum (OLF), a venue for the leaders from our Council, the provincial associations, regulatory authorities, optometry schools, network groups, section heads and students to assess sectoral challenges and opportunities and determine a collective leadership response to them.
This year's theme, "Pathways 2020: The Future of Optometry" encouraged us to include representatives from a cross section of practice, industry, technologyand newmedia, to examine the evolution of thepractice as it is shaped by both internal and external forces. In a novel approach to the event, the proceedings were taped and will be distilled into thematic segments to be made available to members through CAO TV, a new private video network. Members will be encouraged to engage in the dialogue by watching the videos and offering comments on the future of the profession. The ongoing discussions will help us proactively shape that future.
Canadian Exam
We were disappointed in the Ontario College of Optometrist's decision to accept the National Board of Examiners in Optometry examination as an alternate standards assessment for Ontario registration. As part of the College's consultation on the issue, CAO confirmed its support of the requirement for a post-graduation entry-to-practice competency assessment that takes into account the National Competency Profile for entry-level optometry in Canada. We remain hopeful that the situation will be positively resolved through ongoing discussions.
Federal Advocacy
Advocacy is a constant at CAO. Whether it is the collection of 10,000 signatures on petitions for a national eye health and vision strategy, the submission of a request to the Standing Committee on Health for a vision study this Spring, providing advocacy training to our students at the University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science or meetings with senior government officials (most recently, Dr. Siddika Mithani of the Public Health Agency of Canada), we are constantly advancing optometrists as the primary eye care experts. Efforts are underway to prepare for advocacy outreach during the federal election coming this Fall.
Congress
I am thrilled that registration for Congress 2019 has officially opened, and hope you are all marking your calendars to join us in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia from July 10 - 14. We are excited to be partnering with Pacific University's College of Optometry, which has held its own event in Victoria during the same time period for many years. While Congress always provides a welcome venue for networking with colleagues rom across the country, I am looking forward to the opportunity to meet with our American colleagues and learn more about the issues and challenges they face in their practices.
Insurance Industry Working Group
In January 2017, CAO Council established the Insurance Industry Working Group (IIWG) to explore health insurance coverage issues with respect to vision care. The complexities of the industry prompted the Ontario Association of Optometrists to propose that the provinces consider a $20 per member fee to allow for the hiring of a consultant tasked with working with the IIWG to develop a detailed action plan for advocating for fair vision care reimbursement within the industry.
CCOA Program
The success of CAO's first year pilot of the Certified Canadian Optometric Assistant (CCOA) Skills Link Program (in which optometrists mentor Indigenous youth to become Certified Canadian Optometric Assistants) is the motivation for extending the pilot for a second year! We would like to increase the number of participants for the 2019/20 program (which begins in September), and encourage you to consider applying as a sponsor. More information is available here.
And in other CCOA news, our new "Basics" course has launched. Basics provides a condensed introduction to help orient staff to what it means to offer first rate front of office sales and service. Consider putting your staff through the Basics!
We are set to Get Eyewise again for our 2019 National public awareness campaign, which begins in March. As always, collateral is available to members at opto.ca. The campaign will continue with its wry look at vision care and we are delighted that we will once again be working with Maui Jim on a contest, this time as part of Vision Health month in May. Watch for more details in Contact.
With the crazy winter weather we have been having, it is easy to feel a bit gloomy. I say ignore the Groundhogs - spring is coming ;)