Ophthalmic professionals are better able to serve their patients and benefit their practices when they understand new therapies hitting the market. With this in mind, Ophthalmic Professional asked several of our frequent contributors and their colleagues to share with us how they keep abreast of new topical therapy offerings. Sources for this information can be broken up into four categories: doctors, journals, live events, and industry representatives.

Here, you’ll find tips from each on how to gather this pertinent information.

Doctors

The physicians in her practice are the first source that Myra Cherchio, COMT, COE, director of clinic operations at St. Luke’s Cataract & Laser Institute, Tampa, FL., says she looks to.

“I appreciate the fact that I work with progressive surgeons who are interested in providing the best care possible to our patients,” she says. “They are well read and current on trends and changes in the pharma industry. They usually lead the charge with introducing new topical therapies.”

Ms. Cherchio adds: “In many cases, our providers network with their peers around the county to collaborate.”

For ophthalmic professionals, Ms. Cherchio advises working with their physicians as a resource to gain clarity and increase your knowledge base.

An additional benefit to discussing new topical therapies with doctors at the office is that you may be getting the information directly from the source.

“Speak with your doctors about their research and trials they have with these new topical therapies,” says Hughes Webster, COT, technician trainer at Comprehensive EyeCare Partners, Henderson, NV. “Most often, we are only going to experience firsthand what the doctor believes is best suited for their patients. Get their opinions on why these agents are or are not recommended.”

From the professionals

Meet the professionals behind the information provided here and gain some additional tips.

 

 

 

 

Journals

Ms. Cherchio says industry journals, like Ophthalmic Professional, are valuable resources that help her to stay current.

Mr. Webster says he will dig into the research for specific items when learning about a new therapy. “I tend to follow on the success rate participants receive in shorter periods and how stable those results remain,” he says.

Jessica Barr, COMT, ROUB, ophthalmic technologist at University of Pennsylvania Scheie Eye Institute, adds that newsletters can be a valuable resource of information.

“I regularly read and review several professional publications and have signed up for email newsletters, which help me keep my finger on the pulse of emerging technologies and therapeutics,” says Ms. Barr.

In reviewing published clinical studies, Ms. Barr has a few things that she keeps an eye on.

“It’s also important for me to know about potential side effects for patients, so I can help answer questions and inform patients about what to expect while using a therapy,’” she says. “The other thing I really think about is cost and insurance coverage for new medications. An expensive drug that isn’t broadly covered by insurances can create a lot of work in the background to get prior authorizations or work out the details to substitute for another drug/therapy and can prolong the period of time that it takes to get a patient on a therapy.”

Sergina M. Flaherty, COMT, OSC, CTC, (F)ATPO, senior ophthalmic technician at Stone Oak Ophthalmology in San Antonio, Texas, encourages allied health staff not to be intimidated by industry magazines or journals. “Ask the doctors you work with for the publications after they are finished reading,” she advises. “Even if you are a beginner, read everything you can. You may not immediately understand what you read, but it will make sense over time.”

Live events

Live events are also a crucial information stream for Ms. Flaherty: “I attend live and virtual meetings throughout the year and speak to the representatives, then I bring the information back to the doctors in the practice.”

Ms. Cherchio and Mr. Webster agree.

“I utilize a few sources, such as speaking with drug representatives and doctors, attending webinars/seminars, visiting drug company webpages, and reading Ophthalmic Professional magazine,” Mr. Webster says. “All sources provide the information I need to stay informed on the latest advances in topical therapies.”

Industry

“Close relationships with industry representatives help us keep our ear to the ground,” Ms. Cherchio says.

All of those who provided information for this article expressed a similar sentiment:

• Mr. Webster: “My recommendation for all technicians is to speak with their drug representatives when they visit their offices. Ask for more educational materials such as drug websites, upcoming seminars, or webinars.”
• Ms. Barr: “Connect with area drug reps when they visit your office since they really know about the therapy and can help the allied health team understand the role of the new drug in the broader therapeutic landscape.”
• Ms. Flaherty: “I also speak with the representatives who visit our office. They are very happy to tell me about their products, and we like to be in the forefront of technology and pharmacology for benefit of our patients.”

Better serve patients

In speaking to doctors, reading industry journals, attending live events, and asking questions of ophthalmic industry representatives, ophthalmic professionals are able to learn more about the cutting-edge therapies hitting the market. This allows them to better serve their patients and benefit their practices. OP