International Federation of Ophthalmological Societies statutes and regulations.

PURPOSE: To provide an understanding of the structure, role, and responsibility of the International Federation of Ophthalmological Societies, the International Council of Ophthalmology, and the International Congress of Ophthalmology. These established entities have recently codified their statutes and regulations and registered them in Zurich, Switzerland. METHODS: The International Council of Ophthalmology, which serves as the executive body of the International Federation of Ophthalmological Societies, used historical operating documents to prepare the statutes and regulations, which were reviewed and adopted by the International Federation of Ophthalmological Societies at the 28th International Congress of Ophthalmology in Amsterdam on June 23, 1998. RESULTS: The statutes and regulations of the International Federation of Ophthalmological Societies, the International Council of Ophthalmology, and the International Congress of Ophthalmology are available to supranational ophthalmological organizations, national ophthalmological societies, other ophthalmological organizations, and individual ophthalmologists. CONCLUSIONS: The statutes and regulations of the International Federation of Ophthalmological Societies, the International Council of Ophthalmology, and the International Congress of Ophthalmology provide a basis for an organizational structure in international ophthalmology. The International Congress of Ophthalmology, first held in 1857, is the longest continuing international meeting in medicine. The International Council of Ophthalmology was established in 1927, and the International Federation of Ophthalmological Societies was formed in 1933. These organizations coordinate the International Congress of Ophthalmology, which convenes with the International Federation of Ophthalmological Societies every 4 years. The International Council, as the executive body, meets annually. The International Council of Ophthalmology has for decades worked to coordinate and facilitate interchange, education, and standards in international ophthalmology. Currently, the International Council of Ophthalmology, working with other international organizations, is creating an international ophthalmology strategic plan, which includes focus on ophthalmic training, continuing education, advocacy for the preservation and restoration of vision, clinical guidelines, and research.

An ophthalmologist's definition of ophthalmology.

Ophthalmology has long been on the vanguard of medicine and innovation. Ophthalmologists have enjoyed high levels of satisfaction from restoring sight to patients. But the world as we know it has shifted, and now we are burdened by the pressures of modern medicine and a competitive marketplace. Ophthalmology should take the lead in medicine in learning how to weather these crises and how to emerge a revitalized specialty. It seems that the right choice for the specialty of ophthalmology is to reclaim our role as comprehensive providers of total eye care. Ophthalmologists can lead teams formed to provide comprehensive eye care. A dialogue on a consensus definition of the scope of ophthalmology should take place, involving all segments of the profession. Another dialogue that is critical to the future of the specialty is a deliberate examination of the issue of formal accreditation and/or certification of ophthalmologic subspecialties. Ophthalmology needs to define itself for the future.

Survival with excellence: education and the future of ophthalmology. XLII Edward Jackson memorial lecture.

Health care and medicine are in tremendous flux. Survival of the specialty of ophthalmology in a traditional sense is in question. Positive adaptation to our new environment must occur. A central focus of ophthalmology has always been its commitment to excellence in education. Residency education in ophthalmology is at a high level. Far more random and non-individualized education characterizes continuing education in ophthalmology and all of medicine. The fundamental approach is to base our future on personal accountability and excellence in providing consummate care. I have proposed a more systematic, individually oriented approach to continuing education in ophthalmology. A combined effort by the American Academy of Ophthalmology with other ophthalmic organizations and the individual ophthalmologist would provide individual assessment and educational programs based on practice setting and clinical emphasis.

Ophthalmology (eye physician and surgeon) manpower studies for the United States. Part IV: Ophthalmology manpower distribution 1983.

Physician distribution continues to be important in health manpower planning. In 1980 the GMENAC Committee reported uneven geographic distribution of physicians and uneven rates of use of health services in the United States. This study uses zip code sectional areas as the geographical units to describe the geographic distribution of ophthalmologists. Ophthalmologists to population ratio was calculated for each of 532 zip code sectional areas in the US. Results indicate considerable variation in availability of ophthalmologic services. However, this variation is not necessarily indicative of a serious maldistribution problem since there are regional differences in need and supply. This study found that less than 1% of the population did not have convenient access to an ophthalmologist. Resulting data should be helpful to both ophthalmologists considering relocating and residents seeking practice opportunities. Ratios should be used in conjunction with other demographic information available for the sectional areas.

The education and role of ocularists present and future.

The present and future role of ocularists will depend primarily on the quality of educational and evaluation processes within the field; and secondarily, on adequate education outside the field concerning the unique services ocularists provide. The evolution of this field has followed the paradigm that has characterized specialization within medicine. This begins with the development of special expertise in an area and progresses to the fourth stage of external recognition and acceptance of the status of certification. Ocularists are now embarking on this fourth stage, but have considerable challenges to face before this stage is realized. Between ocularists and ophthalmologists there is a need for a genuine alliance in education as well as in health care delivery. This can be fostered best through communication, collaboration, and cooperation. Collaborative experiences during education would promote continuity in learning and cooperative relationships which would facilitate a smooth transition from training into practice relationships.