During her presentation “Elevating the Patient Care Experience Through Technology and AI,” Brianna Rhue, OD, FAAO, FSLS, recommended ways to implement artificial intelligence (AI)-based technology. All the recommendations fell under either enhancing patient care or practice management. The lecture took place March 1, from 4 PM to 5 PM in the Georgia World Congress Center, 404.

“The faster we look at our businesses as tech companies who provide eye care, the easier it will be to implement strategies and technology to better serve our patients who serve us by doing business with our offices,” Dr Rhue said of her presentation.

Enhancing Patient Care

Dr. Rhue is a private practice owner of West Broward Eyecare and co-founder of Dr. Contact Lens and Techifeye. Having built a tech company and sharing it with the eyecare community, she says she is always looking for ways to improve the patient experience.

“What humans should be doing, humans should be doing; and what tech can be doing, tech should be doing,” she asserted.

Enhancing Practice Management

When it comes to workflow, Dr. Rhue discussed automating routine tasks, analyzing patient data, using website chatbots, analyzing phone calls and missed opportunities, assisting in documentation, and cutting out double data entry as criteria to look for in AI technology that can better serve your practice so you can better serve patients.

She pointed out that AI should allow the optometrist to fill their downtime with additional patients they can help. In saying that, she also explained that it should be up to you if you want to do that.

“This is where burnout comes in,” she explained. “If you see more patients the way you are now, it will not work. It should feel like you are seeing the same amount of patients, while you are seeing more because you are becoming more efficient and effective in your clinic to better serve your patients.”  

 Don’t Forget Logistics/Cost Considerations

Dr. Rhue also stressed that the OD should consider the logistics of bringing AI technology on board, the required investment, whether customer service is offered, and the anticipated ROI.

Additionally, she offered this advice: “Instead of asking yourself 'What will this cost me?' ask yourself 'What will this cost me if I don’t do this?' Also, don’t give your patient data away for free! If you are getting something for free, remember you are the product and if you do decide to give your data away for free, you better make sure you are using that data better and more effectively than they are against you! OM