Back to Freepaper Session

Comparison of practice styles and preferences between 2012 ESCRS members and 2012 ASCRS members

Session Details

Session Title: Practice Styles

Session Date/Time: Monday 07/10/2013 | 14:30-16:10

Paper Time: 14:30

Venue: Emerald (First Floor)

First Author: : D.Leaming USA

Co Author(s): :                  

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To study the differences in practice styles and preferences between the members of the ESCRS and ASCRS in 2012

Setting:

A survey of the current practice styles of ESCRS and ASCRS members done in late 2012

Methods:

An e mail invitation was sent from the offices of the ESCRS and ASCRS to the members in October thru December in 2012. The e mail contained a link where the survey resided. The survey looked at the practice styles of the members with respect to cataract surgery and refractive surgery. The surveys were sent at the same time of the year 2012 and the majority of the questions were similar so a direct comparison could be made between the practice styles of the ESCRS and ASCRS members. Results were also compared to previous years’ surveys to look for trends.

Results:

3751 survey invitations went out from the ESCRS office with 550 members completing the survey for a 15% response rate which was identical to the previous year. 4123 survey invitations went out from the ASCRS office with 452 members completing the survey for an 11% response rate. The results were used to make comparisons. A higher percent of US members are using the multifocal IOL at 68% compared to 52% of ESCRS members but the percent declined 4% from 2011. Toric IOLs show the most potential with 85% of ASCRS members using and 61% of ESCRS members and showing no decrease in use. Femtosecond laser use in cataract surgery is showing slow growth with 10% of ASCRS members using it (up 6%) and 7% of ESCRS members using it (up 5%). Biggest impediment to using the femtosecond laser is lack of cost effectiveness at 75% of ESCRS members and 76% of ASCRS members. Intracameral antibiotic use is still markedly higher among ESCRS members at 59% (n/c) while the use by ASCRS trails at 23% but up from 5% from the previous year. Other differences and trends will be highlighted during the talk.

Conclusions:

As shown above there are similarities and differences between the two societies that are interesting to look at. One of the findings of the survey was that in many areas there are striking differences between the ESCRS member countries with respect to practice style. These will also be highlighted in the talk.

Financial Interest:

... receives consulting fees, retainer, or contract payments from a company producing, developing or supplying the product or procedure presented