3 resources every optometrist should bookmark

Patient care is more than vision correction and eye disease management. Patient care involves just that–caring. The best optometrists take a holistic approach and advocate for their patients’ needs.

Many optometrists offer refractions and slit lamp exams for approximately the same cost.

Differentiating yourself from the rest of the field requires you to tap your inner resources of compassion and care. If you don’t believe you are compassionate and caring, think about something you would never give up. Everyone cares about something.

The elite optometrist is not the one speaking at national meetings or running a 10-associate OD practice. The elite optometrist is the one giving patients more–more compassion, more time, and more practical resources.

Here are 3 resources every optometrist should bookmark.

1. Rx Hope – Many glaucoma patients are not compliant with their expensive medications, and they are embarrassed to admit to their doctor they can’t afford them. Rx Hope is a great resource that allows you, the optometrist, to suggest alternative ways to obtain the necessary medication. There is more to prescribing than just clicking through your EMR.
2. GoodRx – As an optometrist you want to be sensitive to the cost of the antibiotics you prescribe patients for eye infections. This resource compares local prices and allows you or your staff to assist patients in keeping their costs to a minimum.
3. Clinical Trials – Many optometrists do not think their patients would be interested in being involved in a clinical trial. However, if a patient is willing to take a risk, or is open to traveling a bit, being part of a clinical trial might be a great option. It is important to use your expertise and knowledge to present all possible options.

Patient care is the essence of practice success. An optometrist can have the nicest office and all the latest technologies and still find his or her practice struggling. Patients want more than clinical answers, they want a person who cares and will advocate for them. Be a patient advocate and give them your best.