Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Ophthalmology: Health Disparities in Ocular Disease

FACULTY

Joseph M. Coney, MD, FASRS, FACS
Ophthalmologist and Vitreoretinal Surgeon
Retina Associates of Cleveland, Inc.
Cleveland, OH

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

This enduring activity targets healthcare gaps related to awareness of health disparities in the prevention and treatment of ocular diseases and the importance of diverse representation within clinical trials and the ophthalmology workforce, impacting outcomes through assessing for factors that can contribute to disparities in vision health and strategies to overcome them.

• By addressing these gaps, you can evaluate how you assess for health disparities as well as their effect on individual vision health – and how your approach to disparity assessment could be modified to help close these gaps.
• Expert discussion will guide you in identifying factors that can contribute to disparities in ocular disease screening, monitoring, and treatment.
• You will also be engaged with immersive animations in a whiteboard platform to memorably highlight key points about barriers to equitable vision care, the impact of underrepresentation in clinical trials and the importance of diversity within the ophthalmology workforce.

TARGET AUDIENCE

This activity is designed to meet the educational needs of clinicians in ophthalmology, retina specialties, and optometry.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After completing the CME activity, learners should be better able to:

• Describe racial, ethnic and sex variations in the prevalence and disease course of ocular diseases
• Identify factors that contribute to health disparities in patients with ocular diseases
• Apply strategies to increase the participation of minority racial and ethnic groups in the ophthalmology workforce
• Assess the importance of diverse representation in research and clinical trials

ACCREDITATION STATEMENT

Med Learning Group is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

This CME activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME Essentials.

CREDIT DESIGNATION STATEMENT

Med Learning Group designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 credit^TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the enduring activity.

NURSING CREDIT INFORMATION

Purpose: This program would be beneficial for nurses involved in the care of patients with ocular disease.
CNE Credits: 1.0 ANCC Contact Hour.

CNE ACCREDITATION STATEMENT

Ultimate Medical Academy/CCM is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional education development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Awarded 1.0 contact hour of continuing nursing education of RNs and APNs.

DISCLOSURE POLICY STATEMENT

In accordance with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) Standards for Commercial Support, educational programs sponsored by Med Learning Group must demonstrate balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor. All faculty, authors, editors, staff, and planning committee members participating in an MLG‐sponsored activity are required to disclose any relevant financial interest or other relationship with the manufacturer(s) of any commercial product(s) and/or provider(s) of commercial services that are discussed in an educational activity.

DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Dr. Joseph Coney discloses the following:

• He serves as a speakers’ bureau member and consultant for:
  • Alimera Sciences, Allergan/AbbVie, Genentech, Novartis, and Regeneron
• He is an advisory board member for, as well as receives grant support and contract search from:
  • Aerpio, Alcon Laboratories, Alimera Sciences, Allergan/AbbVie, Apellis, Genentech, Hoffmann-La Roche, MacTel National Eye Institute, Novartis, and Regeneron

CME Content Review

The content of this activity was independently peer reviewed.
The reviewer of this activity has nothing to disclose.

CNE Content Review

The content of this activity was peer reviewed by a nurse reviewer.

Douglas Cox, MSN, MHA, RN
Ultimate Medical Academy/CCM – Lead Nurse Planner

The reviewer of this activity has nothing to disclose.

Staff Planners and Managers

The staff, planners, and managers reported the following financial relationships or relationships to products or devices they or their spouse/life partner have with commercial interests related to the content of this CME/CE activity:

• Matthew Frese, MBA, General Manager of Med Learning Group, has nothing to disclose.
• Christina Gallo, SVP, Educational Development of Med Learning Group, has nothing to disclose.
• Nicole Longo, DO, FACOI, Director of Medical and Scientific Services of Med Learning Group, has nothing to disclose.
• Douglas Cox, MSN, MHA, RN, UMA/CCM – LNP, has nothing to disclose.
• Ana Maria Albino, Senior Program Manager of Med Learning Group, has nothing to disclose.
• Daniel Dasilva, Outcomes and Accreditation Coordinator of Med Learning Group, has nothing to disclose.
• Lauren Welch, MA, VP, Accreditation and Outcomes of Med Learning Group, has nothing to disclose.

DISCLOSURE OF UNLABELED USE

Med Learning Group requires that faculty participating in any CME activity disclose to the audience when discussing any unlabeled or investigational use of any commercial product or device not yet approved for use in the United States.

During the course of this lecture, the faculty may mention the use of medications for both FDA‐approved and non‐approved indications.

METHOD OF PARTICIPATION

There are no fees for participating and receiving CME credit for this enduring activity. To receive CME/CNE credit participants must:

1. Read the CME/CNE information and faculty disclosures.
2. Participate in the enduring activity.
3. Complete pre-and-post surveys and evaluation.

You will receive your certificate as a downloadable file.

DISCLAIMER

Med Learning Group makes every effort to develop CME activities that are scientifically based. This activity is designed for educational purposes. Participants have a responsibility to utilize this information to enhance their professional development in an effort to improve patient outcomes. Conclusions drawn by the participants should be derived from careful consideration of all available scientific information. The participant should use his/her clinical judgment, knowledge, experience, and diagnostic decision‐making before applying any information, whether provided here or by others, for any professional use.

For CME questions, please contact Med Learning Group at [email protected]

Contact this CME provider at Med Learning Group for privacy and confidentiality policy statement information at http://medlearninggroup.com/privacy‐policy/

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

Staff will be glad to assist you with any special needs. Please contact Med Learning Group prior to participating at [email protected]

 

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