Core Ideology
Core ideology describes an organization’s consistent identity that transcends all changes related to its relevant environment. Core ideology consists of three notions: core purpose, mission, and core values. Core purpose describes the organization’s reason for being. The mission describes who we are, what we do and how we do it. Our core values are the enduring principles that guide the behavior of the organization.
CORE PURPOSE:
To improve the quality of life of all individuals with glaucoma and those at risk.
Mission Statement:
AGS is the preeminent organization dedicated to improving the lives of all people with glaucoma and those at risk by leading the advancement of education, research, health care access, and advocacy.
Core Values:
Integrity - Uphold the highest level of ethical principles.
Intellectual curiosity - Recognize and embrace innovation and commit to continuous reexamination of knowledge and ideas.
Respect - Conduct work with collegiality
Compassion - Recognize the needs and minimize burdens of patients, families, and caregivers.
Inclusion - Embrace diversity and inclusion of people and ideas to better reflect the population we serve.
Education - Disseminate high quality evidence-based information.
Equity - Promote fair and just distribution of healthcare resources
Vivid Description of a Desired Future
A Vivid Description conveys a concrete, yet unrealized vision for the organization. It is a description of how the world could be different for key stakeholders and serves as a focal point for effort. It describes the intersection of what a group is passionate about, what they do best, and what they can marshal the resources to accomplish.
American Glaucoma Society - Vivid Description
AGS is a thriving member community due to efforts in continuing education, opportunities for collegiality, professional development, and scientific exchange. Members are better able to demonstrate their value to society and other organizations because of big data developed and disseminated by the AGS. Our Society is the leading voice for glaucoma and a trusted advocate across the spectrum of basic and clinical glaucoma research and patient care. AGS catalyzes the integration and access to care in collaborations with numerous stakeholders including patients, providers, community leaders, industry, regulators, and legislators.
Glaucoma patients benefit from earlier diagnosis due to AGS successful efforts in improving glaucoma screening, awareness, and education about the disease. Our patients benefit from improved outcomes due to innovative treatments that AGS has facilitated and have improved access to glaucoma care due to workforce diversity, equity, and inclusion programs implemented by the AGS. All people with glaucoma have adequate access to high level care including diagnosis, monitoring and effective treatments and benefit from effective collaboration among glaucoma specialists, comprehensive ophthalmologists, optometrists, and other health care providers. Seamless data integration and communication among providers and researchers affords the ability to integrate new technologies in an evidence-based, patient-focused manner that has enhanced capabilities while improving the connection between provider and patients.
AGS members experience improved quality of work and professional satisfaction because of AGS efforts in providing resources and care for the profession. Our Society is a thriving member community due to efforts in continuing education, opportunities for collegiality, professional development and scientific exchange. AGS members represent a diverse group of physicians, including practice environments, gender, race/ethnicity, geographic region, and surgical expertise. The number of historically underrepresented minority physicians is increasing. Underserved geographic areas across the US receive expert glaucoma care.
Glaucoma researchers benefit from increased research funding and opportunities due to AGS efforts in fundraising with the resources they need to advance the science of glaucoma. All eye care providers benefit from the activities of the AGS to provide best practices for efficient and successful glaucoma diagnosis and treatment and have attained better and safer diagnostic and therapeutic modalities due to research supported by the AGSF. Industry benefits from widespread application of technology for glaucoma care.
Environmental Scan
Building Foresight
Conditions, Trends and Assumptions
These statements, developed by the group, help to purposefully update the strategic plan on an annual basis. Since the outcome-oriented goals that will form the basis of the long-range strategic plan will be based on the vision of the future that appears in this section, an annual review of this vision will be an appropriate method of determining and ensuring the ongoing relevancy of the goals.
Healthcare Delivery System:
Shortage of ophthalmologists with aging of the population and increasing disease prevalence will further decrease patient access to care. Insurance companies dictate what diagnostic, medical and surgical care patients can receive.
Summary of "Current Conditions" discussion
Eye care is becoming an integral part of health insurance and health care delivery. Patient-centric delivery systems, coordinated care, tele-health and AI integrated technologies represent important trends. Healthcare systems are contributing to the increasing scope of practice for non-MDs.
Summary of "Trends" discussion
Large healthcare systems will support less-trained providers taking care of patients with earlier stages of glaucoma. Further decreases in ratio of glaucoma specialists to glaucoma patients will continue with increases in remote diagnostic testing.
Summary of "Assumptions About the Future" discussion
Business and Economic Climate:
Presently, AGS has limited interaction and partnerships with our industry partners and leaders in ophthalmology. Insurance companies are dictating care. Costs are rising and the economy is tanking beyond periodic inflation.
Summary of "Current Conditions" discussion
Increasing influence of 3rd party payors on which and how health care is delivered. Decreased reimbursement for patient care and surgeries. Large healthcare organizations seem to have different priorities than individual physicians and patients.
Summary of "Trends" discussion
More cuts to physician/surgeon reimbursement. Reimbursement from commercial payers will continue to align more closely with Medicare payments. Continued consolidation of care.
Summary of "Assumptions About the Future" discussion
Legislation and Regulation:
Many observers blame physician salaries as the cause of high health care costs in America but impractical regulations are the main factors that drive up cost. Insurance companies continue to have significant control over U.S. health care.
Summary of "Current Conditions" discussion
There must be a unified voice for glaucoma care in the United States, and the AGS must be the voice, clarifying issues and uniting the cause for glaucoma. There are many societies that are involved in eye care, but we must be the final/strong voice when it comes to what is the best glaucoma care in the United States.
Summary of "Trends" discussion
As healthcare organizations become larger and larger, physician concerns will be drowned out by the legislative and regulatory needs of the organization rather than the individual physician’s needs. AGS needs a grassroots effort from our patient base in order to create meaningful change.
Summary of "Assumptions About the Future" discussion
Social Values and Demographics:
Lack of provider and leadership diversity. Very limited pipeline of minority physicians and leaders. Dysfunctional health care systems exacerbating inequalities in access to care.
Summary of "Current Conditions" discussion
Hopefully, increasing diversity among health care professionals, better care of our elderly patients, less fragmented medical care and more integrated health care organizations unified by a common electronic health record.
Summary of "Trends" discussion
More optometrists managing glaucoma patients, which influences the public perception of who is qualified to perform specialty eye care. Healthcare should decrease unnecessary costs. Increased diversity of glaucoma docs over next 20 years.
Summary of "Assumptions About the Future" discussion
Technology and Science:
Continued investment in innovation by industry. Innovation suffers as industry partners meet challenges in reimbursement of these newer technologies and therapeutics. However, these therapies are often costly and either LCAs or MACs will not approve, create step therapies, or restrict use of such therapies.
Summary of "Current Conditions" discussion
High quality clinical trials will drive real science vs pseudoscience in clinical practice guidance and introduction of real technology and science. High technology use drives down reimbursement. Integrated technologies to help with glaucoma diagnosis and monitoring.
Summary of "Trends" discussion
The cost of useful technology will increase as reimbursements decrease or remain the same, so the cost of taking care of patients ultimately increases for the physician. Technician-independent diagnostic testing becomes more prevalent.
Summary of "Assumptions About the Future" discussion
Goals, Objectives & Strategies
Goals represent outcome-oriented statements intended to guide and measure the organization’s future success. The achievement of each goal will move the organization towards the realization of its “Envisioned Future.” Supporting objectives further clarify direction and describe what the organization wants to have happen with an issue. In other words, a descriptive statement of what constitutes success in measurable terms. Strategies describe how the association will commit its’ resources to accomplishing the goal. They bring focus to operational allocation of resources and serve as a link from long-term planning to annual planning. Finally, strategies set strategic priorities for committees, staff, and all other work groups.
Priority Key
Critical (C) = Work on this strategy must be completed in the coming year.
Immediate (I) = Work must begin on this strategy in coming year
Intermediate (IN) = Work on this strategy may begin in the coming year if resources permit
Later (L) = Work on this strategy should wait until a subsequent year
Goal A - AGS the Organization
AGS will be the leading voice for glaucoma increasing awareness and collaborating with partners and stakeholders to provide the highest level of patient care, research, and continuing education.
Objectives:
Increase representation of AGS on relevant AAO committees and as AAO decision-makers.
Increase effective communication between AGS and AGSF. Make more members aware of the AGSF.
Increase traffic to the website; increase prominence of AGS website via search engines.
Increase avenues for philanthropy to AGSF (internal and external), increase number of philanthropic targets and contributions. Develop easy method for doctors to direct their patients to donate to AGSF.
Increase resources devoted to staffing the AGS and AGSF.
Increase the number of glaucoma providers who are members of and actively engaged in the Society, experiencing satisfying professional rewards from their membership and leadership, reflecting the diversity of our patients.
Strategies:
Critical
Develop philanthropic plan, potentially including CPO identification of 3 potential donors for each philanthropic program each year, increasing member engagement, establishing new philanthropic programs and targets.
Re-establish the communication loop between the AGS representative to the AAO Healthcare Policy Committee and the appropriate AGS committees (e.g. Patient Care) and the AGS board; consider having committee member(s) attend select AGS board meeting as invited (nonvoting) member
Immediate
Create educational hub on website for members- include links to AAO ONE network, one-minute videos, EyeWiki; use XCD platform to upload recorded talks from members, slide sets with AGS branding and solicitation for donations to AGSF.
Review select AAO committee rosters to determine appropriate inclusion of AGS members. Increase communication to bring AGS agenda to the AAO committee with coordination by the AAO councilor and/or AGS representative on the committee.
Intermediate
Explore the potential of an industry symposium for start-ups and members on the day before the annual AGS meeting. This may strengthen ties with industry and could be organized by the AGSF advisory board, somewhat similar to Eyecelerator@AAO program (non-CME)
Hire a communications specialist and develop a marketing and communication strategy, including social media campaign to raise public awareness, major website revision (user-friendly educational hub for patients, links to other supportive organizations, e.g. Prevent Blindness)
Later
None
Goal B - Researchers
Researchers will have the means to advance big data research, informatics, translational sciences, and clinical trials, supporting a diverse group of young- and mid-career clinician-scientists.
Objectives:
Achieve consensus on definition of glaucoma diagnosis and progression.
Achieve interoperability and access to patient-level structural and functional data to establish large and diverse datasets.
Establish network of participants for future clinical trials.
Increase funding for glaucoma research.
Draft Strategies:
Critical
Develop consensus on definition of glaucoma diagnosis and progression.
Identify potential partners for funding, including government, industry, foundations, members, and patients.
Immediate
Advocate for improving interoperability and access to patient-level structural and functional data to establish large and diverse datasets.
Intermediate
Establish interface with big techs for getting access to data from personal devices
Develop a consortium of investigators to support large collaborative clinical trials.
Develop mechanisms to improve involvement of AGS on Editorial Board Member structure of Ophthalmology Glaucoma.
Later
Identify large funding opportunities (i.e. NEI/NIH) to support multicenter clinical research.
Goal C - Members, Doctors, Eye Care Providers
Those providing care to glaucoma patients will benefit from a community of competent and professionally satisfied care providers that includes individuals from all practice styles, age, demographics, and backgrounds
Objectives:
Increase fair physician reimbursement and reduce administrative/regulatory burdens
Increase education on the appropriate use of diagnostic and therapeutic technologies.
Increase collaboration and mentorship between early and later career physicians.
Increase diversity in providers caring for glaucoma patients
Increase communication and reduce divisions among providers caring for glaucoma patients
Draft Strategies:
Critical
Initiate a conversation between AAO and AGS regarding our position on optometric care of glaucoma patients.
Create opportunities and training for members to serve as mentors for new AGS members
Immediate
Collect population data on severe disease to better identify the unmet needs in glaucoma and guide our strategy around workforce
Continue AGS HPLDC program to identify and educate interested members on reimbursement/health policy
Communication and mentorship between early- and mid-level leadership
Intermediate
Improve the AGS website to expand offerings and resources.
Continued participation in the AAO Minority Ophthalmologists Mentoring program.
Expand programs like INSPIRE with possible multimedia resources about the field
Educate members on how to navigate common reimbursement and regulatory challenges
Later
Publish position statements and technology updates.
Goal D - Patients
Patients will have knowledge of as well as appropriate and equitable access to glaucoma diagnostics and treatments that enhances their lives
Objectives:
Provide high quality educational resources to help patients better understand glaucoma
Increase number and quality of metrics for treatment goals (i.e. --treatment targets other than IOP)
Decrease the cost of care and cost of drugs to patients.
Increase the number of glaucoma specialists practicing in the US.
Acquire data on how to individualize MIGS and other surgeries to improve outcomes.
Strategies:
Critical
Website and Patient Engagement Subcommittees redesign patient portal of website to increase patient resources and accuracy of information provided
Immediate
Develop a program for first-degree relatives of current patients of AGS Members to provide referrals to other AGS members for screening.
Identify effective programs from other patient care organizations.
Create additional patient-centered educational content for our website (interactive, video, handouts) with proposals for measurement of the impact/effectiveness of this content.
Refine webinars about choosing glaucoma as a subspecialty and applying to fellowship.
Publish data on insurance abuses of pharmacy benefit management organizations.
Publish more data on the relationships between drug costs, patient adherence, and disease outcomes.
Implement program to engage more AGS Cares members in screening family members of established AGS member patients
Develop additional YOGS programs to publicize glaucoma as an attractive career to their near peers.
Establish YOGS assistance in generating social media campaigns with use of Instagram and other platforms to improve patient education/awareness and attracting med students and residents to the specialty of glaucoma.
Intermediate
Elevate the AGS website ranking/position website searches (Search engine optimization) of glaucoma terminology (e.g. glaucoma treatment, glaucoma surgery, etc.)
Develop in-person regional meetings with educational content and peer support for patients, possibly associated with the AGS annual meeting.
Create a mini-glaucoma fellowship track in the new integrated internship/residency programs to use extra time wisely
Partner with other organizations to increase outreach of patient education.
Develop strategies for collaboration with comprehensive ophthalmology and optometry to work more efficiently, not harder
Later
Create supplements to glaucoma fellowship salaries.
Goal E - Society and Underserved Geographic Areas
Society will benefit from new, innovative AGS models of glaucoma care to better screen and treat persons with inclusion of all demographic populations.
Objectives
Increase under-represented in medicine glaucoma subspecialists.
Increase universal access to both screening and appropriate follow-up.
Increase community-oriented health literacy.
Strategies
Critical
Engage the AAO Healthcare Policy Committee Glaucoma Representative at AGS board meetings by requiring that this individual holds a board position
Better utilize AGS Members-at-Large (ask them to select a task/subcommittee/committee of interest)
Immediate
Raising awareness of health literacy within the community
Develop QR-code driven (and hard copy) educational materials for members to share with patients.
Create a MIPS requirement based on the Medicare Glaucoma Detection Benefit Screening Rules
Intermediate
Recruitment efforts at all levels of training (high school, college, medical school)
Patient Care Committee to educate a variety of stakeholders (e.g., pediatric and medical societies; Bright Focus; RPB)
Later
None