One of the exciting aspects of eye care is the amount of innovation taking place, a theme in this month’s issue of Optometric Management. Consider the number of newly introduced solutions, both products and services, that ultimately can help improve patients’ vision and health. From FDA approved-treatments to diagnostic technology and other advances too numerous to mention here, these innovations can also help practices establish and maintain leadership positions. In addition, new approaches to patient care and practice management, coupled with the many therapies in the pipeline, suggest a wealth of innovation to come. As we approach the holiday season, it is a reason to give thanks.

INTEGRATING INNOVATION INTO PRACTICE

The article “How Your Colleagues Are Innovating” (p.20) demonstrates how optometrists have been quick to adopt new ideas during the past year. These ranged from easy-to-implement solutions, such as texting job candidates, to those that require significant investment — for example, transforming the practice with an open-office concept.

While these innovations vary greatly in scope, their common denominator is that each requires something more than a creative idea. “Creativity plus work results in innovation,” writes author, coach and trainer Theodore Henderson in the Forbes.com article, “Why Innovation Is Crucial to Your Organization’s Long-Term Success.” Put another way, to reap the benefits of innovation, organizations must use a disciplined approach to harness creative ability.

Accordingly, this issue of OM offers both creative ideas and steps for implementation. For example, in “Create Disease Management Processes” (p.24), Drs. Leslie O’Dell, Chris Wroten and Betsy W. Fraser explain how patient outcomes and increased office efficiency can be achieved through triage, staffing, technology and patient education.

This issue marks the final “Business Strategies” column (p.54) by Dr. Gary Gerber, who discusses a widespread problem among practices today: the short-staffed office. Well-known for his creative solutions, the practice-building consultant offers a fresh perspective on the issue of hiring. As readers have come to expect from his long-running column, Dr. Gerber offers informed advice that is practical and thought-provoking. OM