PONDER THESE “OUT-OF-THE-BOX” ISSUES WHEN CONSIDERING NEW TECHNOLOGY

THIS PUBLICATION does a fantastic job at covering technology: new, current, applications, how to implement and what it means for your practice and the industry overall. I look forward to Optometric Management’s technology issue every year to catch a glimpse of what’s coming and what I may be interested in utilizing.

Technology can also interest those patients who care to learn.

Whenever considering the purchase of technology, I challenge practitioners to ponder several “out of the box” considerations:

WILL IT ENHANCE PATIENT CARE OR THE DOCTOR’S EFFICIENCY?

“Well, of course,” you say. . .“Why would I purchase technology that wouldn’t do either or both?” In my 10 years of practice ownership, I now have equipment that is perhaps “antiquated” by the newness/shiny factor, but works perfectly well for the purposes I need. Sure, I could upgrade to the latest model, but for what reason?

Yes, I could purchase an instrument that would allow me to finish testing two minutes faster. The efficiency is always appreciated, but at a price tag of thousands of dollars and a utilization rate of only a dozen times per month, I think I’m going to hold off for on this now.

You say there’s a new device that will “wow” patients? It’s footprint “only” takes up about as much space as a large SUV for a bargain deal that costs as much as a small car? Thanks, but if it can’t improve patient care or efficiency in my office, then no thanks.

Another instrument can measure thousands of data points. That’s impressive, but it’s much more information than I need — in fact, it could take 10 minutes to review it all (and an additional three minutes of pre-test time). Sorry, I have to pass.

DOES IT TAKE AWAY FROM THE PATIENT’S EXPERIENCE?

With automation comes great freedom and consistency, but I’m always cautious if a human element is going to be sacrificed for the “greater good” of technology. I’m all for data interpretation and then analysis by the doctor. But if the test procedure results in patient discomfort, all for the sake of marginal gains in information,then I wouldn’t be surprised if the smile is wiped off the patient’s face when I walk in to the room.

Also, please don’t tell me that my reimbursement for a particular piece of equipment is so great when only a fraction of my patients are even eligible for said testing, and then are mildly uncomfortable going through it.

I LOVE FANTASTIC, BUT. . .

Now, I’m sure your impression from this column is that I don’t embrace much new technology in my office, but actually the opposite is true. I have a lot of technology in my office, and I truly love what new testing can bring to patient care and office success.

However, I suggest you consider keeping the aforementioned points in mind when contemplating the purchase of new technology. New and shiny is fantastic, but make sure it’s also data-centric, patient-easy and elevates the practice. OM

DR. WESLEY practices at Complete Eye Care of Medina, a Vision Source practice, which she opened in 2008. She was honored as Minnesota’s Optometrist of the Year in 2011. Email drwesley@cecofmedina.com.