Help ensure patients get the care they need, especially during the pandemic

Hardly a day goes by when I don’t see TV commercials for treatment centers or hospitals urging viewers to remain safe and healthy. A regular part of a healthy routine, they remind us, is keeping up with doctors visits. Last summer, several healthcare organizations started the public service campaign, “Stop Medical Distancing” to address canceled visits by patients who feared COVID-19, but required care.

While the seriousness of the pandemic is top-of-mind, it should also be noted that patients who require regular visits, such as those who have glaucoma or AMD, but have fallen off the schedule, may place their ocular health — and the health of the practice — at risk. “Regardless of the state of the pandemic, we are responsible for our patients,” writes Katie Gilbert-Spear, O.D., J.D., M.P.H., in this month’s “Legal” column (p.48). Along with tips to ensure patients get the care they need, Dr. Gilbert-Spear addresses how to minimize risks to the practice.

Additionally, Dr. Lisa Greene discusses steps that can help patients return to practices in “Implement a Patient Recall System” (p.30). One key takeaway: Educating on the “why” of the follow-up lets the patient know they are an active partner in their health, Dr. Greene writes.

RECOGNIZE THE VALUE OF THE FOLLOW-UP

The “why” of the visit runs through much of this month’s issue of Optometric Management. Our “Practicing Medical Optometry” feature discusses how the neuro exam (p.20) can lead to a vital diagnosis. It also can help determine whether a patient’s condition is an emergency, “a critical obligation of the primary care practitioner,” says Andrew G. Lee, M.D.

The risk factors of noncompliance with follow-up visits for patients who have chronic conditions, including glaucoma, has been well documented. In “Isn’t One Drop Enough?” (p.26), Dr. Austin Lifferth discusses a key follow-up issue: when it is appropriate for a look at second-choice topical adjunctive therapy for glaucoma patients.

There’s a lot more in this issue of OM, from Dr. April Jasper’s “O.D. to O.D.” on how to bring about change (p.4) to Dr. Chris Wroten’s article on disaster planning (p.32). We hope you find the articles informative and inspiring. OM