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  BEST OF ODs ON FACEBOOK

NO SHOWS, SCORPIONS AND SAVING A LIFE

A LOOK AT NOVEMBER’S CORNUCOPIA OF TOPICS

ALAN GLAZIER, O.D., F.A.A.O.

ONE OF the best things about “ODs on Facebook” is that it’s user-friendly. Post a problem you solved, and your colleagues learn from it. Or post a problem you had or are having, and your fellow optometrists provide their own experiences and a slew of solutions.

Here’s a look at three popular problem posts, which vary from a common problem all the way to an illuminating article that illustrates the importance of optometrists as members of the health care team.

NO SHOWS

It’s a problem all doctors have — no shows. An appointment is made, verified and the patient is expected, yet, for whatever reason, he or she fails to appear for that appointment. While this is frustrating for the doctor, it is also expensive for the practice. After all, that appointment slot (or slots) could have easily been filled by another patient who would have presented for his or her appointment.

A member of “ODs on Facebook” posted that she was in a “no show” conundrum. Specifically, mostly new patients on state insurance plans were not showing up for their appointments, and this had been going on for seven months. Shocker, right?

Responses to the post ranged from dropping medical assistance programs to double booking or booking those patients on a specific day, using email reminders and more. This post received more than 35 replies.

ENCOUNTER WITH A SCORPION

Although scorpions have between six and 12 eyes, they don’t have good vision. As a result, it makes perfect sense that one would present to an optometrist’s office. And, in fact, one did.

Specifically, a Texas O.D. posted that she spotted a scorpion in a sink (instead of the exam chair — blame it on his poor vision). While the O.D. excused herself from the exam lane to fetch bug spray, she returned to find her dilated patient holding a knife with a “scorpion kabob.”

Suggestions from fellow O.D.s on how to avoid these types of infestations ranged from bug sprays to, “move out of the southwest.” This post received 469 likes and more than 50 comments.

SAVING A YOUNG BOY’S LIFE

One “ODs on Facebook” member posted a link to “The Washington Post” article, “He went from a playful little boy to ‘a zombie.’ Why wouldn’t the doctors listen?” The article details how an optometrist saved a 4-year-old boy’s life by referring him for an emergency brain scan. It turns out that the brain scan revealed a Chiari malformation, which led to a diagnosis of pseudotumor cerebri. The post received 243 likes and 23 shares.

Such mainstream press is celebrated by our great profession because it helps to educate the public that optometrists offer much more than excellent vision.

Why not become a member of “ODs on Facebook?” After all, your post could be featured in this column. OM

DR. GLAZIER is founder of Shady Grove Eye and Vision Care, a five-doctor medical-model practice in the Rockville, Md. suburbs of Washington DC. He is an author, inventor, industry consultant and frequent lecturer on ocular disease and Internet marketing. He can be reached at aglazier@youreyesite.com. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @EyeInfo or PM him on Facebook.