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I am sort of curious as to what everyones take is on the term, OPTOMETRIC PHYSICIAN. Use it or don't use it ? Have you even heard it before?
CNU2020 said:I am sort of curious as to what everyones take is on the term, OPTOMETRIC PHYSICIAN. Use it or don't use it ? Have you even heard it before?
CNU2020 said:The term physician seems applicable to Optometry to me personally. In order to prevent a mass chaos of Stedman thumpers adding in their 2 cents about what a physician is or isn't, we'll use the good ole Merriam Webster's definition:
Physician n 1 : a person skilled in the art of healing 2 : one exerting a remedial or salutary influence
Now, we all already know what Ophthamology (and 'pissed off MD's" for that matter) thinks of the term. They don't like it, because it's tough on the pride... or makes them less elite per se. I am not hoping to introduce yet another thread to dispute this. I'm more interested in types of things such as what your take is toward the effect on the general public and Optometrist themselves.
Ex. As an optometry student, many people will ask me what I am studying. When I reply Optometry, the usual response is, "Oh, is that a 2 year program?" Hmmm, no actually it generally takes eight. Whereas, if I tell them, I am studying to become an Optometric Physician they will likely ask me what I think about LASIK. At which point I will sometimes point them toward CRT.
CNU2020 said:Ex. As an optometry student, many people will ask me what I am studying. When I reply Optometry, the usual response is, "Oh, is that a 2 year program?" Hmmm, no actually it generally takes eight.
mdkurt said:Does that include undergrad? People will be more impressed if you start the clock with kindergarten and tell them your optometry degree took 21 years.
NEATOMD said:I think its a real shame that MD's and OD and PhD's have such trouble accepting each other. Personally, I'm going for my MD (referred to by some as an RD or "real doctor"). That doesn't make me any better than any of the other professionals out there, even be it EMT-P or RN. Instead of helping each other out where we should be, we find ourselves in power struggles like there is some shortage of unhealthy people out there. Thus, our current system of health care is nothing but a name. The truth is, in today's world we don't CARE about HEALTHY people. Furthermore, I think that MD's and DO's and OD's and what have you should combine forces to gain more overall rights. For instance, you don't see many OD's out there fighting for lower insurance rates for MD's. This is probably because they higher rates don't affect them now. But, if any one of you doesn't think that will change in the next few years, then you need to stop and think about it. Furthermore, this Optometric Physician phrasing only further propels the notion that all Doctors should be lumped together and thus encourages the previously mentioned insurance changes. We all know that if the insurance companies can find more ways to get more money from us, they'll do it. I personally don't really care what you decide to call yourselves as optometrists. However, know that the much needed change regarding the way we business professionals interact will have to start somewhere. Unfortunately, if we don't start the change with ourselves, it never will change.
Well said Bolus...bolus jones said:I AGREE!!! In an ideal situation (where we want to provide the best possible health care for our patients) we would all work together to provide an eyecare system that is seamless and works well for everybody. However, I also think it's a shame that there are still some people out there (some on both sides of the argument) that feel the need to continue this pointless quarrel over scope of practice. For one, no I don't believe optometrists should do surgery. Leave that for people who are trained in medical school as surgeons. However, I do believe optometrists are quite well-trained enough to be able to administer the oral medications that they would need to. That being said, hopefully someday we will reach an agreement where the optometrist will truly be the primary eye care provider and the ophthalmologist will be the specialist in the field. Until both sides can accept this and the fact that each degree has its own level of competency/good things and limitations, we will never get anywhere.
CNU2020 said:I am sort of curious as to what everyones take is on the term, OPTOMETRIC PHYSICIAN. Use it or don't use it ? Have you even heard it before?
bolus jones said:Yeah, maybe they would be impressed actually. To be quite honest though, I'm quite impressed with the fact that you feel the need to inflate your ego by coming onto the optometry forum just to make fun of someone. I don't care who you think you are...you're not better than any one of us just because MD is behind your name. For now though, I'll just assume that you are ignorant, have self-esteem issues, and the only thing that gives you some kind of confidence in yourself is the MD.
JR said:That actually was pretty funny, mdkurt! I am also quite impressed with the fact that phrases like "who do you think you are" and "you are no better then..." come mostly from OD posts.
CNU2020 said:Ok, I guess I'm to blame for starting this...
I hearby motion to close this thread and let her drift gently off to the archives.
Thanks for your comments,
--peace out--
Andrew_Doan said:Keep your 'optometric physician'. That's good.
I'll work on getting ophthalmologists to use: Eye Physician & Surgeon
Andrew_Doan said:Keep your 'optometric physician'. That's good.
I'll work on getting ophthalmologists to use: Eye Physician & Surgeon
futuredoctorOD said:One question Dr. Doan.....where can I go to get involved with Opthalmic Research?
where can I go to get involved with Opthalmic Research?
JG777 said:are u still in undergrad?? usually, if you look on your school's website, you can look up folks who are doing vision research. or if you're out of college, you can look through nearby universities and check out folks doing research. usually, it's best to email or phone, explaining your situation and interests, giving them any experiences, a list of courses relevant to the type of research you might want to do.
if u were in ca, i highly recommend that you do research at ucla. they have lots of eye research going on there at the jules stein/doris stein eye research. i did my research there and it was very educational.
best of luck to you!
futuredoctorOD said:I like the term eye doctor.
And I suppose that your ego is justifiably inflated? Probably not, but harassing a profession outside the allopathic tradition must be doing something for you...vanelo said:Of course you like the term, it inflates all your egos... by deceiving people.
Vanelo, you are halarious!!! Get it everyone, cause he said Eye Doctor = Deceving people....lolvanelo said:Of course you like the term, it inflates all your egos... by deceiving people.
NEATOMD said:I forgot they should be using the more commonly accepted term for Optometrists which is "Eye glasses and contact perscription writer."
vanelo said:Of course you like the term, it inflates all your egos... by deceiving people.
vanelo said:Of course you like the term, it inflates all your egos... by deceiving people.
jefguth said:Sounds like *someone* (vanelo?) is bitter about having to defend their medical education at Ponce...
Hopefully you can get over this so that one day you might actually have constructive discussions with optometrists instead of telling them to shut-up and stay out.
jefguth said:Sounds like *someone* (vanelo?) is bitter about having to defend their medical education at Ponce...
Hopefully you can get over this so that one day you might actually have constructive discussions with optometrists instead of telling them to shut-up and stay out.
futuredoctorOD said:Alas my fello Opto......Vanelo must have came from the 1920's in a time machine and thinks that all OD's can do is refract....Having a constructive conversation with him is like trying to talk about neurophysiology with a gorilla. But he can value his Ponce--Doctor of Medicine diploma and try to exlpain to everyone how it was a great academic institution!
futuredoctorOD said:Alas my fello Opto......Vanelo must have came from the 1920's in a time machine and thinks that all OD's can do is refract....Having a constructive conversation with him is like trying to talk about neurophysiology with a gorilla. But he can value his Ponce--Doctor of Medicine diploma and try to exlpain to everyone how it was a great academic institution!
vanelo said:Well, I thank my academic institution for helping me in my Step 1>250 (but I seriously doubt you OD's knoiw about that) and me matching into a top 15 ophthalmology program (dont be jealous now please)
P.S. Now I kind of defended my institution.!!!!
CNU2020 said:First of all, I "pity da foo" who actually understood that garbled funk of words. I need an interpretation! Maybe it's code that only real doctors understand.
Several things to clarify, here.
First of all, I feel sorry for you Valeno. You're pursuing a career that pumps up your ego. You have to tear others down to feel that you're actually something. You've greatly mis-understood something: NO ONE HERE IS JEALOUS OF YOU. We've chosen this profession because its what we wanted to do... not because we weren't good enough to do what you've done. Let me re-itterate, I'd be an OMD if I wished to be one, but I've chosen to be an OD because it suits me better (like the atmostphere, hours, etc.). Someday, we'll both be doctors. When that day comes, I'll be happy go to work everyday because I've chosen a profession that I know I enjoy. From my impression, you'll likely be miserable and aggervated because you've chosen something on the basis of prestige and monitary reward. So, actually, rather than envy you, I feel sorry for you.
Finally, I suggest you humble yourself. I don't know if you've looked around lately, but we in the medical community all depend on each other. When you're 10 years into your practice and it's a failure, you'll remember these words, "Don't bite the hand that feeds you." Whom do you think will be refering to an Ophthamologist they can't trust? I certainly won't be. Anyone else? Shall we start a pole as to which OD's will refer to Valeno?
Good luck in life Valeno, you're gonna need it