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Ophthalmology doctors are asking for clarification of the notion of “ophthalmology practice”, which they believe is misused by practices or health centers where ophthalmologists rarely, if ever, set foot.
“There is a lot of confusion“on this notion of ophthalmology practices,”on online dating platforms, search engines” or among certain orthoptists and opticians, declared Thursday the president of the national union of ophthalmologists of France (Snof), Vincent Dedes.
For greater clarity, the professional union suggests reserving the name “ophthalmology office“at a site where an ophthalmologist (specialist doctor) is present at least twice a week, or at least 40% of the practice’s opening time, added Dr. Dedes during a press conference.
The organization of private ophthalmology has evolved significantly in recent years, in an attempt to overcome the lack of specialists – which led to long delays in obtaining an appointment.
Orthoptists and opticians have obtained the right to make certain prescription renewals, and orthoptists the right to carry out certain screenings or prescriptions.
84.7% of ophthalmologists now use the support of these professionals (including medical assistants and nurses), according to Snof.
This “supported work” has made it possible to reduce waiting times for a simple appointment by 70% in seven years, with a median time now between 21 and 26 days according to studies cited by the professional union.
But the development of “assisted work” has led to abuses, such as centers which rarely receive a visit from an ophthalmologist. Consultations are carried out by other professionals, without the patient knowing who they are dealing with.
Patients must always request an invoice for the procedures they have benefited from, even if with third-party payment they pay nothing, recalled Vincent Dedes.
“Before making an appointment, they must also ask +if I have a concern revealed during the visit, will an ophthalmologist be able to see me within a week?+“, advises the president of Snof.
“Nearly“around fifty centers that have appeared in recent years have been”either withdrawn from the agreement by Health Insurance, or closed” for their illicit practices, he said.
And “on online dating platforms“, he puts the number of orthoptic centers posing as ophthalmology practices at around 200-250. This is “approximately the same number for opticians” who say they do ophthalmology.
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