Tips from the Issue

WELCOME TO THE PRACTICE INNOVATION ISSUE

Compiled here are practical tips from a few of the articles that appear in this issue of Optometric Management.

DETAIL YOUR INVENTION

When submitting a patent application, describe the invention idea in as much detail as possible in writing and in drawings or other depictions, such as charts or photographs, writes Paul C. Onderick, OD, JD. Doing so often helps to determine where more research and more detail may be needed to increase the likelihood of obtaining the patent.

From idea to patent

REGISTER PATIENTS STRATEGICALLY

Scheduling patients strategically reduces backups, rushed exams and, thus, unhappy patients and staff members, writes Tonya M. Reynoldson, OD. When scheduling a patient, front-desk staff can accomplish this by using the range of time established per reason for the appointment. This way, patients are penciled in, in the most appropriate time slots.

Schedule for Success

USE STAFF TO MARKET PRACTICE OFFERINGS

Once staff are knowledgeable on the offering and they’ve determined it could meet their own vision and/or ocular health need(s), it makes sense to enable the staff member to try the offering themselves, explains Jessilin Quint, OD, FAAO, of Smart Eye Care, in Maine. This way, if they are pleased with it, they can use their experience to educate patients. Also contributing to this article are Selina McGee, OD, FAAO, Carly Rose, OD, FAAO, and Janelle L. Davison, OD.

How to market new offerings

RECOMMEND FOODS FOR GUT HEALTH

There is an association between glaucoma and gut health. One way to promote positive gut health is to recommend prebiotics (fruits, vegetables, grains, and nuts) and probiotics (yogurt, kombucha, tempeh, and kimchi) to patients, writes Austin Lifferth, OD, FAAO, in this month’s Glaucoma column.

Trust your gut

DON’T SKIMP ON STAFF TRAINING FOR NEW TECHNOLOGY

When bringing in new technology to the practice, don’t assume you can just do a brief training with staff, writes Patricia Fulmer, OD, FAAO. Doing so “often leads to misunderstanding and a less successful execution. To avoid this, leadership should set aside time within clinic hours to thoroughly train their staff and allow them to become confident in the skill.”

Introduce new tech to staff

PentaVision

Optometric Management