CEwire2015

[Lynbeth Neal Lorey]

I don't understand this -- what if you went to Vision Expo, or took a course in a Jobson journal.... is this not the same thing as what we're doing? Have you been denied credit at those venues?

Vision Expo will usually have a few courses that are co-sponsored by a school, so if you're careful on course selection, you can still do that but it does take some planning. For journal articles, you can only do ones that are co-sponsored by schools.

 

[AdminWolf]

Vision Expo will usually have a few courses that are co-sponsored by a school, so if you're careful on course selection, you can still do that but it does take some planning. For journal articles, you can only do ones that are co-sponsored by schools.

That is ... awful. It gives a select group of organizations a monopoly over CE activities, which are mandatory for re-licensure. Does anyone else have a problem with this?

 

[Michael W Ohlson]

That is ... awful. It gives a select group of organizations a monopoly over CE activities, which are mandatory for re-licensure. Does anyone else have a problem with this?

So, there's this OD that feels things should be set right somehow... odd person... thinks 21st century self-regulation should be defensible... impeccable... for the good of both the public and the small, embattled, legislated-scope, health care profession... sort of a Quixote... or just another patient off his medication...

 

[AdminWolf]

Confirmed by the NY State Board -- 9 hours:

Good Morning Adam, As of now NYS Optometrists are allowed to have 9 hours on-line.
Sincerely,
NYS Optometry Board
Tel. (518) 474-3817 ext. 550
Fax. (518) 473-0567

 

[Paul Farkas]

So, there's this OD that feels things should be set right somehow... odd person... thinks 21st century self-regulation should be defensible... impeccable... for the good of both the public and the small, embattled, legislated-scope, health care profession... sort of a Quixote... or just another patient off his medication...

Dr Michael Ohlson, Optometry's Man from La Mancha!

 

[AdminWolf]

By the way, for our Canadian friends, I was contacted by a member from Ontario, who wrote this:

I am interested in registering for your virtual conference and love the idea of the fees going to eye-related charities. I have asked the Ontario College of Optometrists whether they would consider the 30 hours of lectures as Category A for CE purposes and they have only said that if there is an examination component then this would qualify otherwise it would fall into category B.

All of the lectures are COPE-Approved and WILL have tests (graded in this case by NOVA Southeastern U), so to me, that reads like at least in Ontario, you qualify for Category A.

We'll get a definitive answer this week, but it looks good...

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[Paul Farkas]

Speaking of signing up...

We have made early sign up incredibly inexpensive per lecture hour. The thinking was that a heavy early sign up will convince our deep pocket vendors to take a big booth to compensate for the low OD rates.

There is a hefty increase in sign up costs on May 1. By that time the vendor booths must be reserved.

If you plan on joining the party do so before May 1.

 

[AdminWolf]

Happy to announce it looks like we've got another speaker coming on board, Richard Zimbalist, OD, FAAO! It is going to be a talk on a medical topic, when we have the COPE approval we'll post it up on the site (interesting stuff)

As I mentioned, we're not turning any interesting speaker away -- if they've got a topic that we think people will find compelling, and a lecture ready to go, we're going to welcome them into the program if at all possible, costs-be-damned.

Even though each additional lecture drives up the price of the event for us, we feel it is important to give registrants as much choice as possible.

And just as a reminder, the $99 reg fee will go up after May 1st, so if you haven't registered, please give it a shot now!

Thanks, hope everyone is having a great weekend,
adam

 

[Paul Farkas]

And just as a reminder, the $99 reg fee will go up after May 1st, so if you haven't registered, please give it a shot now!

To reiterate...

The cost of a little over $3 per credit hour is an incredible bargain. The goal is to have signups in the thousands early to encourage large vendors with deep pockets to support CEwire2015 with the assurance of heavy booth traffic

By May 1, 2015 the vendors will be in place The price increase will reflect the true value of the courses offered. Don't be a victim of procrastination. Sign up today!

 

[AdminWolf]

To reiterate...

The cost of a little over $3 per credit hour is an incredible bargain. The goal is to have signups in the thousands early to encourage large vendors with deep pockets to support CEwire2015 with the assurance of heavy booth traffic

By May 1, 2015 the vendors will be in place The price increase will reflect the true value of the courses offered. Don't be a victim of procrastination. Sign up today!

It is actually less than $3 per credit, if you have multiple docs in your office; you can sign everyone up for $199, total... so if you have multiple docs at a location, just have one person register for the group rate, and you can fill in the rest of their names.

You'll have 3 months to complete the CE, so you don't have to worry about attending the whole thing live online.

 

[David Bookman]

Dear Adam, Paul, and everyone at odwire....


(1) So I just paid about $600 to attend my association CE event, will get about 16 hours, and now you have the nerve to offer over 30 hours for $99 ! Thanks !

(2) On a more serious note....In Ontario we require 70 hours of CE in a 3 year period, and 50 hours are essentially COPE approved with lots of regulations:

"Members are required to participate in CE activities that would amount to a minimum of 50 category a credit hours* while credit for the remaining 20 credit hours may be obtained by participating in either category a or b Continuing Education activities. (*One credit hour is equal to 50 minutes with each course being a minimum of one credit hour and additionally in half-hour increments.)
Of the 50 Category A hours required, a minimum of 20 hours must be lecture-based in topics reasonably related to ocular disease and management or related systemic disease. COPE- approved online lectures would qualify as long as they include an examination component. "

The last part states that online lectures require "an examination component"

Is there any type of exam at the end of these lectures ? Any way of verifying the OD did participate in the entire lecture ? I will ask my College regarding the interpretation of the CE requirement but would appreciate your answer to the above.

BTW...do we still have the "Gold" star program beside our names or ....?

Editor's note: Gold star vanished after last upgrade. Now just supporting member noted.

Thanks for all the hard work, David.

 

[Steve Silberberg]

Dear Adam, Paul, and everyone at odwire....


(1) So I just paid about $600 to attend my association CE event, will get about 16 hours, and now you have the nerve to offer over 30 hours for $99 ! Thanks !

(2) On a more serious note....In Ontario we require 70 hours of CE in a 3 year period, and 50 hours are essentially COPE approved with lots of regulations:

"Members are required to participate in CE activities that would amount to a minimum of 50 category a credit hours* while credit for the remaining 20 credit hours may be obtained by participating in either category a or b Continuing Education activities. (*One credit hour is equal to 50 minutes with each course being a minimum of one credit hour and additionally in half-hour increments.)
Of the 50 Category A hours required, a minimum of 20 hours must be lecture-based in topics reasonably related to ocular disease and management or related systemic disease. COPE- approved online lectures would qualify as long as they include an examination component. "

The last part states that online lectures require "an examination component"

Is there any type of exam at the end of these lectures ? Any way of verifying the OD did participate in the entire lecture ? I will ask my College regarding the interpretation of the CE requirement but would appreciate your answer to the above.

BTW...do we still have the "Gold" star program beside our names or ....?

Thanks for all the hard work, David.

Each course has a 10 question test at the end the computer is logged in must be logged in during the entire session or else you cannot take the test so controls are in place

 

[David Bookman]

Each course has a 10 question test at the end the computer is logged in must be logged in during the entire session or else you cannot take the test so controls are in place

Thanks Steve, BTW, just to be sure....no extra cost for taking the test or getting the CE COPE credit. Thanks.

 

[Steve Silberberg]

Thanks Steve, BTW, just to be sure....no extra cost for taking the test or getting the CE COPE credit. Thanks.

Nope. Freebie

 

[Paul Farkas]

For those who are signing up early...

If you note any difficulty in the system please let us know before the major influx.

The system to allow for every eventuality is extremely complex. We hope all bases are covered but then...

Thanks for help and support.

 

[Bill C. Thompson OD]

This is an interesting thread for me. I am a CE nerd. I have always logged about twice as many, if not more, CE than required.

I will sign up for CEwire for sure.

When "CEing is Believing" (CEiB) came along I jumped right on board and enjoyed it.

I really enjoy (call me weird) live conferences too, however. Not so much the CE hours, but the opportunity to interact with other optometrists. I have often said I learn more in the hallways between lectures.

I am so weird that I have purchased full CD sets from SECO and listen to them in the car. For some topics, I have listened to the same lecture 2 or 3 times. All this for no CE credit.

I am licensed in 3 states, each with their own CE requirements.

If I could do all my CE online for all 3 states I would, but I'd still want to go to live gatherings (conferences) of ODs for the interaction.

I definitely learn more in an online or CD format, no question. I just enjoy interacting with colleagues live, face to face.

In my years serving on the TOA board of trustees, I went to all TOA and some AOA conferences. We had many duties at the meetings and had little time to attend CE. I enjoyed those conferences the most, oddly enough. Big, well attended conferences, little or no CE credits for me, but plenty of interaction with other ODs.

 

[AdminWolf]

This a an interesting thread for me. I am a CE nerd. I have always logged about twice as many, if not more, CE than required.

I will sign up for CEwire for sure.

Great! looking forward to seeing you there.

We could use a little help --

Does anyone know about the internet hour allowance in the following states:

CT, DE, RI, SC, UT and WI?

I'd like to fill out the matrix fully ASAP.

Thanks
adam

 

[AdminWolf]

Official word from the Ontario College of Optometrists of Ontario:

"If the CE online course is COPE-approved with an official COPE I.D. and includes an examination component, as per our current CE policy for the 2015 – 2017 cycle, then yes, the course would qualify as Category A credit hour.
Please be advised that it is the member's responsibility to have all corresponding CE certificates available (for any possible future audit), unless the CE provider supplies all obtained CE details directly to OE Tracker."


So looks like it is a go, since all our classes have tests and certificates! If you know anyone in Ontario who wants or needs credits, they can participate!

Thanks
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[Paul Farkas]

Canadian OD's outside of Ontario help us out...

There is a good chance that if the Ontario College of optometrist approves CEwire2015 other provinces will also follow. You might receive a rapid response since you practice in that province.

Please pass it along to us on this topic. We would like to allow all eligible Canadian ODs to sign up by 4/30/15 for big savings.

Thanks.

 

[AdminWolf]

Hey Florida ODs -- can you really do zero credits online? I can't find any documentation of the # of hours.

It would help me fill out the matrix...
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[AdminWolf]

Canadian OD's outside of Ontario help us out...

There is a good chance that if the Ontario College of optometrist approves CEwire2015 other provinces will also follow. You might receive a rapid response since you practice in that province.

Please pass it along to us on this topic. We would like to allow all eligible Canadian ODs to sign up by 4/30/15 for big savings.

Thanks.

Yes, this is a good deal for them -- they could do all 30 hours during the conference, if so inclined. I don't know what the CE scene in Canada is like, but i'd imagine if you were from one of the more far-flung parts of a province, it would be annoying as heck to have to constantly travel to the city to pick up CE credits.

 

[AdminWolf]

New Hampshire docs, how do you read this:

1. An optometrist certified to use pharmaceutical agents in the practice of optometry shall complete a minimum of 50 hours of continuing education every year in order to maintain pharmaceutical certification. A minimum of 20 hours shall be by participation in formal courses and the remainder by independent study. An optometrist certified to treat glaucoma shall complete a minimum of 10 of the required hours in glaucoma specific education. A minimum of 7 hours shall be by participation in formal courses and 3 hours may be by independent study.

That tells me that -- at the very least -- you should be able to take 30 hours at CEwire, yes (even if you call it "independent study"?) Anyone have a different opinion?

 

[AdminWolf]

... and NV -- "Any course that is COPE approved". It doesn't mention anything about the internet on their site. Sigh.

 

[AdminWolf]

My reading of the Alberta statute: You can take 50 a year online, as long as it is COPE approved. Yay.

http://www.collegeofoptometrists.ab.ca/PDF/advisories/continuing-education.pdf

 

[Gretchyn Bailey]

Welcome to the frustrations of a legislated profession.

 

[Paul Farkas]

Hey Florida ODs -- can you really do zero credits online? I can't find any documentation of the # of hours.

It would help me fill out the matrix...
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I checked with a Florida State Board member who is also an ODwire.org member and participant.

Sorry to report there are no CE credits for on line COPE approved participation.

Do need C/E credits for other states to maintain your license?...
https://www.odwire.org/wiki/cope-requirements-by-state/

Check it out.

 

[Randall Bernstein]

Holy balls, you can do all your CE in Indiana via correspondence? Sounds like heaven. I didn't realize there was such a huge variance between the states on that. I get "up to four hours". Woohoo.

Law was amended 18 mos ago. Now you are only allowed 8 hours of online/self study towards 40 hours of CE to get your license. 20 hours minimum have to be in Pharm. 2 Hours in coding/billing/charting and the rest in regular courses. No practice management CE is allowed.

 

[Paul Farkas]

Law was amended 18 mos ago. Now you are only allowed 8 hours of online/self study towards 40 hours of CE to get your license. 20 hours minimum have to be in Pharm. 2 Hours in coding/billing/charting and the rest in regular courses. No practice management CE is allowed.

Will other state boards have second thoughts about allowing on line C/E.There will be expected pushback from State Optometric Associations that wish to see live bodies at their convention. How much influence do Optometric Associations have on State Boards?

That is the great unknown.

 

[Michael McDermott]

Just registered. I got frozen out of one of my standard UCBSO Morgan Series this coming weekend. Full up they said. Then I saw this right after I was going to start mail in CE through Review of Optometry. This is even better and CA allows 20 units in this manner. Plus I am getting sick and tired of having to pay $500-545 for 16 units. Granted I am stuck with it for at least 30 units but maybe no longer for all 50 units. That is a huge bonus. Thanks, Adam.

 

[AdminWolf]

Just registered. I got frozen out of one of my standard UCBSO Morgan Series this coming weekend. Full up they said. Then I saw this right after I was going to start mail in CE through Review of Optometry. This is even better and CA allows 20 units in this manner. Plus I am getting sick and tired of having to pay $500-545 for 16 units. Granted I am stuck with it for at least 30 units but maybe no longer for all 50 units. That is a huge bonus. Thanks, Adam.

Hi Michael,
We look forward to seeing you there!

Our biggest challenge is getting people to register -- if we can get a big enough crowd together for this first show, we can keep a perpetual series running, giving docs everywhere a low-cost CE outlet permanently (and also helping out these charitable orgs -- this conference isn't about lining our pockets.)

So it would help us greatly if those who have registered just let your friends know about it, sending them to the cewire2015.com site.

Particularly before May 1 when the price goes up.

Thanks!
adam

 

[Charles A McBride]

I'm looking forward to it. The date is getting closer. Got to look at the courses offered again. -Charlie

 

[AdminWolf]

I'm looking forward to it. The date is getting closer. Got to look at the courses offered again. -Charlie

Course list is growing, we're adding as we make COPE submissions.

The process has been reasonably smooth so far!

 

[Charles A McBride]

Course list is growing, we're adding as we make COPE submissions.

The process has been reasonably smooth so far!

This is exciting. I love the list of courses. I think I want to take a day off and just watch courses. Is this what you expect people to do generally or just watch them prn? Will there be enough time to ask real time questions? Will the "hour" be limited to an hour? And, if not, how can I make the next course in time? -Charlie

 

[AdminWolf]

This is exciting. I love the list of courses. I think I want to take a day off and just watch courses. Is this what you expect people to do generally or just watch them prn? Will there be enough time to ask real time questions? Will the "hour" be limited to an hour? And, if not, how can I make the next course in time? -Charlie

The lectures themselves run 50 minutes, you can ask questions as the talks are going on (ie, you type them in), the speaker can choose to respond as things are happening, or wait until the final 10 minute q&a period in each talk. After each show, you get bounced back out to the 'lobby' and get to pick another one.

we're building in some intermission times, i believe, where you can mingle with vendors in the exhibit hall, or talk to other showgoers during the live event on the 16th & 17th.

should be a blast! If you have OD friends around Oregon, please forward the cewire2015.com site to them -- I really think this meeting is going to skew a little west-coast heavy, since the states out here seem so good about the # of credit-hours. (BC too)

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[Paul Farkas]

This is exciting. I love the list of courses. I think I want to take a day off and just watch courses. Is this what you expect people to do generally or just watch them prn? Will there be enough time to ask real time questions? Will the "hour" be limited to an hour? And, if not, how can I make the next course in time? -Charlie

The key to making this a success is the combination of a large number of ODs participating and vendors sponsoring using the booth features. Early OD sign ups makes it easier for us to attract additional vendors.

Taking advantage of the"live" days May 16 and May 17 allows visiting the vendors in real time making purchases taking advantage of discounts and having Wells- Fargo financial available to help funding. Active vendor sales will be an attraction for additional vendors for the next conference.

Talk about convenient. Each day will have three hours dedicated to visiting vendor booths and taking a lunch break.

Will we do it again? It depends on ODs. You can't image the time involved setting this up. Paying speakers for over thirty hours plus the company running the show is pricy.

If the project works as we hope and we can give profits to eye care charity, it will be worth the effort.

 

[AdminWolf]

Utah -- according to an OD who spoke with the board, you can do all of your required hours online, as long as they are COPE-approved. Which ours are! I know you need 30 every 2 years, so why not get it over with here?

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[Paul Farkas]

Have you taken all the C/E hours required for this?

How can you take advantage of the COPE approved $3 per hour courses?

Check with you state board. You may be ble to take the CEwire2015 courses, pass the exam and use the credits for 2016.

Check with your state board whether you can bank the CEwire2015 low priced courses.

 

[Michael W Ohlson]

Due to the large variances in CE rules and laws (it's good to know both in your jurisdiction), it can be difficult to keep up with changes in CE requirements, such as carry-over into license periods.

I'd suggest Googling your state board's website and looking at the continuing education rules and law. I'd also save them as a PDF for later reference.

If those are clear as mud, try emailing the state board or calling on the phone. ODs are citizens as well as licensees. The contact information is also on their websites.

ARBO has a collection of CE requirements at its website, www.arbo.org. However, a licensee will always be responsible for knowing the current requirements. (Eh, we do our best to keep up.) https://www.arbo.org/ce_req.php

Your state or province association can be quite helpful. They serve their members and might provide quick answers.

Editor's note: This advice comes from someone who knows...the former chair of Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry (ARBO)

 

[AdminWolf]

The only two states that we know for sure won't honor our CE are Kentucky & TN (because we're not a 'national organization', ludicrous, IMO) and Florida, where electronic CE is totally verboten (even more ludicrous -- if I were a florida OD i'd be livid.)

Other than that, everyone is good to go for at least some credits. And some states for all the credits (Oregon, for instance.)

 

[Michael Eugene Turner]

For Missouri I've done all mine online or fax in since 2006 or so.

1/3 of us get audited in any given cycle and I've passed at least two that I can remember so it must be all good.

Thanks Tom. I was checking here before contacting the MO Board and you have supplied the information I was seeking.