I believe 99% of those who read this truly want to change people’s lives for the better. I think the 1% who aren’t right now are struggling because life is creating some waves for them. Call me Pollyanna or call me glass half full, but I want you to know I believe in you and your fervor for delivering the latest eye care. I arrived at these thoughts when I learned about innovations at this year’s American Academy of Optometry (AAO) meeting, one of my favorite meetings to attend.

Let me explain.

Cutting edge research; no follow through

Every time I attend AAO, I am reminded of the importance of colleagues in research and in academia. They provide the latest data and teach us how to implement that data in practice, respectively.

I have no doubt we have every intention of utilizing what we learn from the AAO, among other meetings. What I think often happens is we return from these meetings faced with an onslaught of emails, phone calls, and patients in our schedules. I am not casting blame on anyone reading this; I am right there with you.

The reality is, and data show, we tend to be slow adopters. By we, I don’t mean only optometry, I mean all health care providers.

No strategic planning; no change

Without strategic planning, implementation won’t happen; I promise you. How do I know this? The past has predicted the future, unfortunately:

• Limited multifocal contact lens use. These lenses have been available for more than 10 years; yet surveys continually show that 15% or less patients report their doctor mentions this option. No strategic planning for implementation; no change.
• Ocular diseases remain un-derdiagnosed. Dry eye disease is undiagnosed in over half of patients (probably more), and glaucoma is undiagnosed in 50% of patients as well. (I acknowledge that these numbers are not entirely our fault.) No strategic planning for implementation; no change.

Making a strategic plan; sticking with it

We have the power to change what has been the status quo by making a strategic plan for implementation in practice and sticking with it. This can be as simple as carving an hour a week out of our schedules over a month after an industry meeting to determine “how” we can use the latest eye care data and technologies.

And long after one or more meetings have ended, we can stay on the cutting edge of care by:

• Reading the articles in Optometric Management.
• Looking at the advertisements in the magazine to take note of new products.
• Using the upcoming holiday season to update our ocular disease and optical protocols.
• Re-educating our team on those protocols and setting up a plan of consistency with diagnosis and treatment.

Being the change

We all started down the path of optometry to change people’s lives, and then life jumped in the way, preventing us from being and doing our best. If you’re in that 1% right now, don’t fret. You’ll ride those waves to calmer waters once you commit to strategic planning. I wish you and your families a wonderful holiday. OM

Email: drapriljasper@gmail.com

Twitter: @DrAprilJasper 

Facebook: @OptometricManagement