...by any other name would not be the same

Florida often makes the news for various reasons. Frequently, it’s all fun and games, such as the world-famous “Florida man meme,” but sometimes, events threaten our ability to change our patients' lives for the better.

Outrageous proposed bill

Case in point: It is absolutely mind boggling that a bill, SB 230, which would make it a felony for optometrists to tell patients that optometrists are physicians, was introduced into the Florida legislature.

How could such proposed legislation help our patients? Specifically, how is it beneficial to make patients doubt the abilities of their physicians whom they love, trust, and need, especially when they face a shortage of optometrists and ophthalmologists? Now, more than ever, we need to work together for the good of patients.

Watching the legislative process unfold, I was saddened that, once again, someone tried to create a rift in the great relationships that health care providers share with each other. Such relationships are mandatory to ensure great patient outcomes, as demonstrated in the book, “The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right,” by surgeon Atul Gawande.

With this bill looming, I was reminded of how appreciative our patients are when we make an effort to address them by their earned titles, such as “doctor,” in our office. Additionally, I was inspired by the way we all worked together to correct the wrong that was being done, not just to optometry, but also to our patients.

A nationwide effort

Many of you, from all over the country, expressed your outrage also and stepped up to help defeat the legislation. I am grateful to you all, and I will forever remember 2023 as the year that optometry united in a common cause that reaffirmed why we do what we do and how we do it.

So many of our colleagues in medicine voiced their opinions on how this bill could harm the public, and here is the best part: Our voices were heard. On June 2, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed SB 230.

Seven lessons

Moving forward, what are the lessons learned from this episode?

1. Don’t take your profession for granted.
2. Do support the people (the American Optometric Association and your state association) who are working so hard to support you.
3. Maintain outstanding relationships with the other health care professionals in your community.
4. Respect all other professionals, as you would want to be respected.
5. Always put patients’ wellbeing first, and the rest will work out.
6. Look for ways to continue to bring value to others.
7. Be a team player. Remember, we are better together.

Words of gratitude

In closing, let me express my thanks to Florida Optometric Association (FAO) President Dr. Mark Marciano, all our FOA board members, and our Legislative Chair Dr. Ken Lawson for all he did to keep our patients’ interests front and center. And finally, thank you, Gov. DeSantis, for seeing the truth and doing what is best for the citizens of Florida — that is, by keeping the “physician” in “optometric physician.” OM

Email: drapriljasper@gmail.com

Twitter: @DrAprilJasper

Facebook: @OptometricManagement