Dec. 21, 2016
A system to make better business decisions, knowing when to send patients to other doctors, and ideas for reinvigorating “extracurricular” activities for ODs, highlighted a year of ROB guest editorials.
What Bees Can Teach Us About Optometry
By Brian Chou, OD, FAAO
For the past three years, I’ve dabbled with bee keeping. I started shortly before guitarist Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers and actor Morgan Freeman did the same. That’s why I joke that I inspired a celebrity trend. But delusions of influence aside, I’ve found parallels between beekeeping and practicing optometry. >>READ MORE>>
Five Ways to Making Better Business Decisions
By Jennifer Jabaley, OD
One of the most daunting parts of running a practice is making a difficult decision. Decisions are influenced by many things, including emotions, experiences, timing, risks and rewards. A myriad of factors must be taken into account before reaching a conclusion. However, applying effective strategies in making difficult decisions, can provide good outcomes and give you peace of mind. >>READ MORE>>
Five Practice Pearls from a Community of ODs
By Lisa Shin, OD
Networking, online or in person, with fellow optometrists, can give you practical advice on how to better run your practice and better serve your patients. With numerous challenges facing independent optometry, communication and networking are important. Wouldn’t you want to learn from other ODs, who are also working in the trenches? >>READ MORE>>
Should You Close Your Practice to New Patients?
By Peter Shaw-McMinn, OD
In the 30 plus years I’ve been listening to practice management lecturers, the one thing I have not heard is to close your practice to new patients. Yet, for most of us that should be the goal from the outset. I say that should be a goal because most of us went into optometry seeking a close relationship with our patients…a relationship in which we see them on a continual basis as a primary care provider. >>READ MORE>>
How Well Do You Anticipate Your Patients’ Questions?
By Diane Palombi, OD
Recently a friend showed me her new distance glasses. Then she asked me if there was a reason why her doctor hadn’t given her the option of LASIK or contact lenses. A few days later another friend inquired about spectacle lens options. A third friend was recently referred to a retinal specialist. He had questions about his condition. I am beginning to wonder whether busy doctors are not explaining things well to their patients. Patients are leaving their exams with not all of their questions answered, rather than being shown the range of options they have. >>READ MORE>>
