Musculoskeletal Injuries and Ophthalmologists: Prevention Requires a System-Level Approach

A Roundtable Discussion

Authors

  • Rookaya Mather, MD, FRCSC (moderator)
  • Samuel Masket, MD
  • Terry Zavitz
  • Deepinder Dhaliwal, MD

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58931/cect.2024.3243

Abstract

Musculoskeletal injuries make up about 15% of physicians’ insurance claims. These injuries lead to patient care disruptions, cancelled surgeries, significant disability, and early retirement. Dr. Rookaya Mather sat down with three fellow advocates for physician wellness and WMSD prevention, including two fellow ophthalmologists and a disability insurance expert. They discussed the factors that contribute to injury – from the culture of medicine to suboptimal ergonomic design of examination and surgical equipment – and the role that insurance companies, practising ophthalmologists, academic institutions, and manufacturers can play in preventing injury.

Author Biographies

Rookaya Mather, MD, FRCSC (moderator)

Dr. Rookaya Mather is Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the Schulich School of Medicine, Western University in London, Ontario. Her subspecialty practice is in medical and surgical cornea and external disease. She completed her fellowship training in Cornea & External Disease at the Proctor Foundation, UCSF in San Francisco, California. Dr. Mather is actively engaged in research and has published in various peer‑reviewed journals. She is passionate about raising awareness about ergonomic optimization in ophthalmology.

Samuel Masket, MD

Dr. Samuel Masket recently retired as a Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA and founding partner of Advanced Vision Care in Los Angeles. He is a past president of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. Dr. Masket has published more than 150 peer-reviewed articles and two textbooks. Currently, Dr. Masket is the Chair of American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Senior Ophthalmologist Committee.

Terry Zavitz

Terry Zavitz is the Senior Vice-President of Zavitz Insurance and Wealth: A HUB International Company, focusing on insurance protection and specializing in disability insurance. Terry has handled hundreds of disability claims for physicians, business owners, and their employees. She was the Chair of the Women’s Healthcare Campaign with London Health Sciences Centre, and plays an active role in many associations, including the YMCA, the London Health Sciences Centre, St. Joseph’s Health Care, and various other local organizations.

Deepinder Dhaliwal, MD

Dr. Deepinder Dhaliwal is a Professor of Ophthalmology and Vice Chair of Wellness and Communications at the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh. She is also the Director of Refractive Surgery and the Cornea Service at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Eye Center. Dr. Dhaliwal also serves as the Director of the UPMC Vision Institute’s Laser Vision Center and the Associate Medical Director of the Campbell Ophthalmic Microbiology Laboratory.

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Published

2024-06-18

How to Cite

1.
Mather R, Masket S, Zavitz T, Dhaliwal D. Musculoskeletal Injuries and Ophthalmologists: Prevention Requires a System-Level Approach: A Roundtable Discussion. Can Eye Care Today [Internet]. 2024 Jun. 18 [cited 2024 Nov. 23];3(2):16–21. Available from: https://canadianeyecaretoday.com/article/view/3-2-mather_et_al

Issue

Volume 3, Issue 2, Summer 2024

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2024 Canadian Eye Care Today

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