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Indian Journal of Ophthalmology Dec 2021This article aims at analyzing the impact of predatory publishing in ophthalmology, criteria to identify a legitimate journal, red flags of a predatory journal, sources,...
This article aims at analyzing the impact of predatory publishing in ophthalmology, criteria to identify a legitimate journal, red flags of a predatory journal, sources, and checkpoints available before publishing scientific work in a standard ophthalmology journal. A retrospective review was performed and a list of suspected Ophthalmology predatory journals was extracted through four major so-called blacklists: Beall's, Cabell's, Manca's, and Strinzel's list. This list of journals was then cross-referenced with the UGC CARE and vetted whitelist of vision science journals to remove the legitimate journals. Moreover, as all the predatory journals are supposed to be open access, all possible types of open-access journals on the Scimago webpage were also searched. A gross estimate in terms of publication cost was searched for, and a list of authentic links to find out a legitimate journal was prepared. Additionally, the methodology by which these predatory journals penetrate legitimate indexes such as PubMed was also evaluated. A total of 51 ophthalmology predatory journals were enlisted. Thirty-eight out of 124 Ophthalmology journals listed on Scimago were open access, and the cost of publishing in predatory journals ranged from USD50-500, which is substantially lower than that in legitimate journals (USD 50-3000). A total of 13 open-access platforms exist, with 10 characteristic red flags to identify a predatory journal. These journals have penetrated legitimate indexes such as PubMed by similar-sounding names to the legitimate journals and have published articles with external funding, which needs indexing. Predatory publishing impacts the quality of research in every field, including Ophthalmology, and must be discouraged.
Topics: Abstracting and Indexing; Humans; Ophthalmologists; Publishing; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 34827029
DOI: 10.4103/ijo.IJO_1639_21 -
Middle East African Journal of... 2022The purpose of this study was to address disparities between male and female Iraqi ophthalmologists in terms of personal circumstances, professional profiles, and...
PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to address disparities between male and female Iraqi ophthalmologists in terms of personal circumstances, professional profiles, and attitudes toward work and family life.
METHODS
A Google Form-based questionnaire was released on a social media platform including 500 ophthalmologists between September 1, and December 1, 2021. The survey included three domains: (1) demographic characteristics, (2) clinical practice profile, and (3) career satisfaction and work/family balance.
RESULTS
The study included a total of 209 specialists, with a response rate of 45.5%. About 69.4% of them were 45 years and younger. The female-to-male ratio was 1:1.6, 188 (90%) were married and 186 (88.9%) had children. Women ophthalmologists worked fewer hours, days, and operations than male ophthalmologists ( = 0.091). Moreover, women ophthalmologists in private practice were considerably underrepresented. General ophthalmologists represented 77%. The number of women ophthalmologists with subspecialty degrees was far less 9 (11.5%) than males 38 (29.2%), = 0.003, and they performed significantly fewer operations than male ophthalmologists ( = 0.001). Family duties were the biggest deterrent for female ophthalmologists. For males, the private clinic is an obstacle to acquiring a specialty degree in 45.6%, but for women, it is just 25.7%. Overall satisfaction was 65.1%. Women respondents were less satisfied with their practice ( = 0.009) and thought that they are facing more challenges (0.007). Men believed they had less time to spend with family, implying that women sacrifice working time/income to satisfy family obligations and expectations. Work-life balance is achieved by limiting work hours and including family members.
CONCLUSION
Women ophthalmologists in Iraq might be facing greater obstacles to their professional advancement than their male counterparts. Female doctors were working fewer hours and doing fewer surgical procedures, and they were less likely to pursue subspecialty certification.
Topics: Child; Humans; Male; Female; Ophthalmologists; Iraq; Physicians, Women; Job Satisfaction; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 37123428
DOI: 10.4103/meajo.meajo_87_22 -
Eye (London, England) Apr 2022
Topics: Artificial Intelligence; Humans; Ophthalmologists; Ophthalmology
PubMed: 35001087
DOI: 10.1038/s41433-021-01891-6 -
American Journal of Ophthalmology Dec 2020
Topics: COVID-19; Humans; Internship and Residency; Ophthalmologists; Ophthalmology; Pandemics; SARS-CoV-2; Scholarly Communication; Stress, Psychological
PubMed: 32971027
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2020.07.028 -
American Journal of Ophthalmology Dec 2020
Topics: COVID-19; Humans; Internship and Residency; Ophthalmologists; Ophthalmology; Pandemics; SARS-CoV-2; Scholarly Communication; Stress, Psychological
PubMed: 32961117
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2020.07.017 -
Journal of Occupational Health Jan 2020
Review
Topics: COVID-19; China; Communicable Disease Control; Coronavirus Infections; Female; Global Health; Humans; Infection Control; Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional; Male; Occupational Exposure; Occupational Health; Ophthalmologists; Ophthalmology; Pandemics; Personal Protective Equipment; Pneumonia, Viral
PubMed: 32692449
DOI: 10.1002/1348-9585.12124 -
La Clinica Terapeutica Apr 2022This work describes what are the regulations in the field of safety and prevention in the workplace, with particular regard to the legal medical aspects of the doctor in... (Review)
Review
This work describes what are the regulations in the field of safety and prevention in the workplace, with particular regard to the legal medical aspects of the doctor in charge of Occupational Medicine in correlation with ergophthalmological examinations. The main subjects of this treatment are the employees videoter-minalists. The first part of this work aims to analyze the compliance, as well as laws and legislative decrees governing the obligations and duties of the employer to its employees, regarding the compliance of workplaces and equipment with the instrument that are routinely used by employees videoterminalists. The discussion continues by focusing on the specific aspects of the ergophthalmological examination. It also describes the different phases of the eye examination, starting from the identification of the employee and then to the collection of anamnestic data, which are an integratedpart of the medical-legal act and are also a useful tool for the final diagnosis. The discussion of the various phases of the ergophthalmological examination concludes with a description of indirect ophthalmoscopy with its crucial points, which are important points in any ophthalmo-logical examination. Given the considerable diffusion and the great amount of tech-nological innovations in the field of display screens, we conclude the discussion with a historical overview of the display screens that have been habitually used by employees in their workplace, describing the mechanism that underlie their operation through some hints of Physics.
Topics: Humans; Occupational Health; Occupational Medicine; Ophthalmologists; Physicians; Workplace
PubMed: 35385044
DOI: 10.7417/CT.2022.2415 -
Digital Journal of Ophthalmology : DJO Feb 2021To characterize the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), symptoms, and risk factors among ophthalmologists.
PURPOSE
To characterize the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), symptoms, and risk factors among ophthalmologists.
METHODS
An online survey was distributed to ophthalmologist members of the Maryland Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons. The survey consisted of 34 questions on respondent demographics, practice characteristics, pain, and effects of MSD on their practice patterns. Participants were excluded if they were not ophthalmologists or if they had MSD symptoms prior to the start of their ophthalmology career. Demographics and practice patterns were compared for those with or without MSD symptoms using the Welch t test and the Fisher exact test.
RESULTS
The survey was completed by 127 of 250 active members (response rate, 51%). Of the 127, 85 (66%) reported experiencing work-related pain, with an average pain level of 4/10. With regard to mean age, height, weight, years in practice, number of patients seen weekly, and hours worked weekly, there was no difference between respondents reporting pain and those without. Those reporting MSD symptoms spent significantly more time in surgery than those who did not (mean of 7.9 vs 5.3 hours/week [ < 0.01]). Fourteen percent of respondents reported plans to retire early due to their symptoms.
CONCLUSIONS
A majority of respondents experienced work-related MSD symptoms, which was associated with time spent in surgery. Modifications to the workplace environment focusing on ergonomics, particularly in the operating room, may benefit ophthalmologists.
Topics: Ergonomics; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Ophthalmologists; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; United States; Workplace
PubMed: 33867881
DOI: 10.5693/djo.01.2020.02.001 -
Klinische Monatsblatter Fur... Apr 2023Assessment of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies currently used in routine practice for myopia management in Europe.
PURPOSE
Assessment of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies currently used in routine practice for myopia management in Europe.
METHODS
Online survey study including 11 main questions. The questionnaire was sent to members of the European Paediatric Ophthalmology Society (EPOS). The following items and questions were surveyed: I. Profession and workplace of the survey participants. II. Preventive measures and recommendations for myopia management, a) regarding reading distance and near work, b) optical tools, i.e., application of Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS) glasses, near additions, or contact lenses, and c) the application of atropine eye drops. III. Application of additional diagnostic tools.
RESULTS
Forty-eight individuals completed the survey. Of the respondents, 88% (n = 42) affirmed that they generally gave advice on strategies for myopia prevention and management strategies. Almost all study participants (n = 41; 85%) recommend outdoor time as a preventive measure. The recommendation on near distance is given less frequently, with 28 (58%) participants confirming that they do recommend a "safe" reading distance, and 15 (31%) negating this. Eight (17%) survey participants recommend using near addition glasses, while 36 (75%) do not. Similarly, 35 (73%) respondents do not apply DIMS glasses and 8 (17%) apply them. Fourteen (29%) participants recommend myopia-reducing contact lenses while 30 (63%) do not, and 29 (60%) confirmed that they applied atropine eye drops to slow myopia progression while 14 (29%) do not prescribe these eye drops. The majority of respondents (n = 25; 86%) who prescribe atropine eye drops use atropine 0.01% eye drops.
CONCLUSIONS
Prevention and therapeutic management of childhood myopia is an essential part in the daily routine of pediatric ophthalmologists. Substantial agreement was found for the protective role of outdoor time (85%). The only common therapeutic approach is the administration of atropine eye drops (60%).
Topics: Humans; Child; Ophthalmologists; Disease Progression; Myopia; Atropine; Surveys and Questionnaires; Ophthalmic Solutions; Refraction, Ocular
PubMed: 37164443
DOI: 10.1055/a-2013-2713 -
JAMA Health Forum Sep 2023Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) therapies aflibercept and ranibizumab are among the highest-cost Medicare Part B drugs, even though off-label use of lower-cost...
IMPORTANCE
Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) therapies aflibercept and ranibizumab are among the highest-cost Medicare Part B drugs, even though off-label use of lower-cost bevacizumab is clinically noninferior. Payments from manufacturers of these ARMD therapies to ophthalmologists are hypothesized to be factors in ophthalmologists' therapeutic choice, controlling for ophthalmologist and patient characteristics.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the association between manufacturer payments to ophthalmologists and choice of ARMD treatment as well as to identify ophthalmologist-level characteristics associated with prescribing lower-cost ARMD therapies.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This retrospective cross-sectional study of longitudinal (2013-2019) Medicare Part B data was conducted from December 2021 to December 2022. Ophthalmologists prescribing aflibercept (manufactured by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc), rabinizumab, or bevacizumab (both manufactured by Genentech Inc) for ARMD treatment of Medicare Part B beneficiaries were included. Data on manufacturer payments to ophthalmologists were obtained from the Open Payments database.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
The primary outcome was the percentage of bevacizumab prescribed by ophthalmologists among all ARMD therapies. Regression analysis assessed variation in bevacizumab prescribing by acceptance of manufacturer payments as well as by ophthalmologist and patient characteristics. Ophthalmologist characteristics were duration of practice and Medicare Administrative Contractor region, and patient characteristics were aggregated at the ophthalmologist level and included mean beneficiary age, percentage of dual-eligible beneficiaries, mean beneficiary risk score, and percentage of White beneficiaries. Savings were estimated by projecting the change in bevacizumab use had ophthalmologists not accepted manufacturer payments, controlling for all ophthalmologist and patient characteristics and comparing with observed use and costs.
RESULTS
A total of 21 584 ophthalmologists (18 489 males [85.7%]) were included. Ophthalmologists who accepted manufacturer payments were significantly less likely to prescribe bevacizumab (28.0% [95% CI, 24.6%-42.5%] of patients) compared with those who did not accept manufacturer payments (45.8% [95% CI, 44.5%-47.1%]). Ophthalmologists who saw dual-eligible beneficiaries had greater bevacizumab prescribing (50.0% [95% CI, 40.6%-68.3%] in the highest quartile vs 36.1% [95% CI, 33.5%-38.8%] in the lowest quartile; β coefficient, 0.139; P < .001), while those who saw patients with higher mean beneficiary risk scores had lower bevacizumab use (38.0% [95% CI, 23.7%-44.1%] in the highest quartile vs 48.2% [95% CI, 45.5%-50.8%] in the lowest quartile; β coefficient, -0.102, P < .001). Had ophthalmologists who accepted manufacturer payments prescribed ARMD drugs as those who did not accept payments, Medicare spending on these treatments would have been $642 779 703.08 lower from 2013 to 2019, a 2.0% savings.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Results of this cross-sectional study suggest that drug manufacturer payments to ophthalmologists were associated with selection of higher-cost therapies for ARMD, which is a factor in increased Medicare and patient spending. Development of manufacturer payment models that encourage ophthalmologists to choose lower-cost therapies are needed.
Topics: United States; Male; Humans; Aged; Medicare Part B; Bevacizumab; Cross-Sectional Studies; Ophthalmologists; Retrospective Studies; Macular Degeneration
PubMed: 37682553
DOI: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2023.2951