Communicate with primary care providers about their diabetic patients

Communication between the O.D. and the diabetic patient’s primary care provider (PCP), in particular, is crucial. If PCPs have the full story on what’s going on with their diabetic patients, it’s likely the patient will receive more comprehensive care and earlier intervention, if necessary. Regardless of retinopathy status, PCPs need to know what we know:

• Is the patient taking their medication as prescribed?
• What were their blood glucose numbers this morning?
• Are there any significant refractive changes or other ocular health complications associated with their diabetes?
• Is the patient maintaining a nutritious diet?

(See “Link Diabetes With Lifestyle,” p.28)

Here, I explain a couple ways new graduates can create connections with PCPs to ensure diabetic patients receive stellar care. (A caveat: If the recent graduate is an associate, be sure to loop in the owner OD by asking for help determining key PCPs to contact. There may also be a budget discussion needed.)

CREATE A WELCOME BASKET

The basket should include information about your skillset in diabetes (e.g. CV, mention of applicable diagnostic devices, informational sheet on how diabetes impacts vision and the common health concerns associated with uncontrolled diabetes) and promotional materials about your practice (e.g. a brochure, pens, note pads, etc.), as reminders that you are available to help their patients.

MAKE A LUNCH DATE

Invite local primary care physicians and any of their key staff members (e.g. those who oversee referrals) to lunch or for coffee, where you can personally outline how collaborating can provide their patients with better care:

“Because diabetes has ocular manifestations, I can let you know, via a report and phone call, when the patient’s management may need to be altered for their benefit.”

OFFER TO PROVIDE A “LUNCH & LEARN”

Let local primary care physicians know, via phone or email, that you’d be happy to provide this to educate them and their staffs on the connection between diabetes and ocular health and, how, specifically, your related diagnostic devices work to aid in the condition’s management.

PRIMED AND READY

It’s worth noting that PCPs are “graded,” so to speak, by a HEDIS score (Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Score), which is similar to MIPS/MACRA/Meaningful Use.

One of the HEDIS scores for PCPs is to properly document dilated eye exams for all diabetic patients. This means that PCPs are already primed and ready to work with O.D.s; they just need to be made aware of their local ones. Also, the easier we make this information accessible for PCPs, the more likely they are to refer patients to us. The outcome: Patients receive comprehensive care, and, in turn, the health care providers can experience practice growth and interprofessional development. OM

DON’T MISS NEW O.D. ON FACEBOOK.COM/NEWOD

 

 

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.