RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.—As part of a larger initiative announced last November between VSP Global and the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the VSP Global Premier Program is announcing today that it will offer an ADA-accredited virtual continuing education (CE) course to all VSP network doctors at no cost through PremierAcademy360. The complimentary COPE-approved virtual CE course is designed to help optometrists expand their understanding of the prevalence, risk factors, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diabetes and prediabetes. As VMAIL reported, the two organizations are collaborating on a multi-year campaign to raise awareness of the role eye exams can play in the early detection and prevention of diabetes-related eye disease.
People living with diabetes (34.2 million Americans) and prediabetes (88 million Americans, per the Center for Disease Control face an increased risk for glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic macular edema, and diabetic retinopathy—the leading cause of blindness in working age adults. The good news is, 95 percent of diabetes-related eye disease is preventable with early detection., the announcement pointed out.
“Optometrists are critical members of the broader health care team that provides comprehensive care for the millions of Americans living with diabetes,” said Valerie Sheety-Pilon, OD, vice president, eyecare solutions, VSP Global. “By expanding these educational resources to more VSP network doctors, we can better support them and their important work to save sight through the prevention and treatment of diabetic eye disease.”
More than 500 doctors attended an early offering of the ADA-accredited CE course in July where 95 percent of attendees agreed that the content provided in the webinar gave them the knowledge to enhance their current practice, VSP reported.
The course can be accessed in two different ways on the VSP Provider Hub to provide doctors options that best fit their needs:
- At your own pace:Four (4) 15-minute modules through the Premier Academy360 eLearning courses. Participants will earn 1.0 COPE continuing education credit for completion of the entire 4-part series.
- Live webinar: One-hour live COPE-approved course that will be offered next on October 22, and November 10, 2020. Presented by diabetes and eyecare experts:
- Paul Chous, MA, OD, FAAO, Chous Eye Care Associates, Tacoma, Wash., and Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, Calif.
- Jeffry D. Gerson, OD, FAAO, Grin Eye Care, Olathe, Kan.
- Amy Butts, MPAS, PA-C, CDCES, BC-ADM, Wheeling Hospital, Wheeling, West Virginia
The course, developed by the American Diabetes Association, emphasizes the role of eyecare professionals on the diabetes care team; prevalence, risk factors, and diagnosis of diabetes; prediabetes and type 2 diabetes prevention; controlling blood glucose; and diabetes management and self-management.
Additional eLearning courses developed by the ADA are scheduled throughout the fall and into 2021 for doctors and practice staff. Later this year, Premier Academy360 will announce a Diabetes Educational Program that will further support VSP network doctors to differentiate their practice and attract new patients.