practice management
AAOE Offers Multiple Resources
Editor's Note: Ophthalmology Management has created a new column dedicated to presenting resource information to help doctors enhance communication with their patients and colleagues.

To stay competitive in a busy market like ophthalmology, physicians can benefit from a trusted resource for questions or concerns. Having a medical friend or colleague who can give honest advice is key, but it also helps to have access to a professional organization that is tailored specifically to ophthalmic business concerns.

The American Academy of Ophthalmic Executives (AAOE) is an organization that helps physicians with various practice management needs. While information is available to nonmembers, AAOE membership offers several more resources. In addition, AAOE is also a partner of AAO.

To begin with, there are three listservs members can access: E-Talk, E-Expert and E-Retina. E-Talk is an e-mail discussion group that allows physicians a chance to speak to challenges in their practices or exchange business ideas. E-Expert is a bimonthly discussion moderated by practice management experts. Questions are posted on specific practice management topics, which lead to further dialogue and a deeper understanding of subjects. Lastly, E-Retina is an unmoderated e-mail discussion group specific to retinal specialists' practices.

Bulletins about coding and practice management strategies are posted on the organization's site. A new Techniques Bulletin is also on the site and deals with issues ranging from patient noncompliance to Medicare's new prescription plan.

The site also has a consultant directory that can be accessed according to consultant competency. AAOE says its consultants should fit the following description: "an expert in medical administration, experienced in the field of ophthalmology and well-versed in political and economic influences on the practice of medicine."

AAOE holds a yearly meeting that coincides with AAO's meeting. There is no registration fee for members but instruction course tickets and other ticketed events must be purchased separately. Courses and roundtables include discussions about risk management, coding, marketing and professional growth. Physicians interested in AAOE information can go to www.aao.org/aaoesite.

Ophthamology Management, Issue: August 2006