Lessons learned during the pandemic

What effect has the COVID-19 pandemic had on recent and soon-to-be graduates? As the columnist for “New O.D.,” I just had to know. So, I interviewed Alex Kneeland, a fourth-year student at the Arizona College of Optometry Midwestern University and May 2021 doctoral candidate, who is an extern at a VA; Dr. Michael Watt, a 2018 graduate of the Ohio State University College of Optometry and an associate at a private practice in Charlotte, NC; and Dr. Katie Schlotthauer, a 2013 graduate of the Michigan College of Optometry, who practices in an HMO setting in Madison, Wisc.

Q: HOW, IF ANY, HAS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IMPACTED HOW YOU PRACTICE?

Alex Kneeland: I definitely put more thought into [the] financial situations of every patient, when it comes to prescribing.

Dr. Michael Watt: I have personally been performing telemedicine visits for patients who do not feel comfortable coming in to the office or have failed our COVID-19 screening questions. Another big change is button downs and dress pants/shoes have now been replaced by scrubs and PPE.

Dr. Katie Schlotthauer: I am more conscious of hand hygiene. I am wearing a mask, goggles and gloves with essentially every patient as well as having a plastic shield on the slit lamp. Unfortunately, no handshaking with patients these days either.

Q: HAS THE PANDEMIC CHANGED THE WAY YOU SAVE OR SPEND?

AK: As a student on a fixed budget, I have not been spending as much on materials that are not necessary.

MW: It has been very eye opening seeing just how much money was being spent by going out to eat vs. making a great meal at home.

KS: I did take advantage of the CARES Act Federal Loan Forbearance and put down a good amount interest-free before it expired.

Q: HAS YOUR OUTLOOK ON OUR PROFESSION CHANGED AT ALL AS A RESULT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC?

AK: I think the importance of eye health and access to eye care has enlightened those patients who thought of our profession only when they needed a refill on their contacts lenses. I think patients now realize there is a lot more to eye care than ‘1 or 2’.

MW: I think [it] served as a lesson that we all need to continue to fight for our profession in regard to patient education and future legislation.

KS: I think telehealth may be making its way into the future.

Q: WHAT CHANGES HAVE YOU MADE, PROFESSIONALLY, THAT YOU’D LIKE TO STAY OR THINK WILL BECOME THE ‘NEW NORMAL’?

AK: I would hope that the appreciation for optometry has spread through these times we have been through.

MW: [The COVID-19 pandemic] has provided us with a greater sense of how to maintain an efficient office flow, while keeping everyone socially distanced and comfortable. I see this as something that will be here to stay going forward.

KS: The slit lamp plastic shield protectors in the exam rooms are hopefully here to stay. OM

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DR. O’BRIEN is the owner and optometrist at Denver Eye Care & Eyewear Gallery in Denver, N.C. She is heavily involved with student programming through the private practice clubs and Vision Source NEXT program and works with iCare Advisors as a consultant to help others pursue their cold-start private practice dreams.