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How do you consistently deliver a great patient experience? The most successful optometrists take a deliberate approach to optimizing patient experience by applying optometric management practices.
Here are some of the practices you can implement to improve patient satisfaction and health outcomes.
What Is Optometric Management?
Optometric management refers to a set of practices designed to enhance different processes, including patient experience. There are several benefits to using optometric management strategies:
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Patient satisfaction will improve. Patients will feel valued and will be more likely to share their concerns with you.
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A satisfied patient is more likely to come back and keep up with routine eye exams and other services. Being consistent will result in better eye health outcomes.
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Repeat patients, combined with a positive reputation, will support the growth of your optometric practice.
Your optometric management plan should address every step of the patient experience, from booking an appointment to following up, to achieve the best results possible.
First Impressions: Reception Optometric Management Optimization
Your reception area is often the first point of contact a patient will have with your practice. It’s crucial to create a positive first impression and make patients feel welcome and valued.
Practice Design
Create a waiting area with comfortable seating and plenty of natural light. Think about traffic flow so patients don’t feel like they’re in the way, and pay attention to cleanliness. You can create a contemporary feeling with glossy surfaces or choose natural textures and potted plants for a relaxing atmosphere.
Human Interactions
A front desk employee with a friendly smile and positive attitude can set the tone for the entire patient experience. Acknowledging the patient’s presence when they walk in and letting them know how long they can expect to wait will make a difference.
Enhancing Optometry Clinical Interaction
Asking about a patient’s medical history isn’t enough. You need to establish a positive relationship where the patient feels safe about sharing their concerns and asking questions. Use these optometric management strategies to improve patient communication during clinical interactions:
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Having an assistant perform some pre-tests can help streamline the exam process, giving you more time to interact with the patient.
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Practice active listening to pinpoint the patient’s main issues and concerns.
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Use patient profiles to adjust your approach and identify potential risks and concerns that are unique to each patient.
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Hand out educational materials to improve eye health literacy. Brochures and digital resources will help patients learn more about eye health conditions and treatment options on their own.
Personalizing Optometric Follow-up and Aftercare
Besides making a patient feel valued, following up will help patients keep up with future exams and treatments. Here’s how you can deliver more value through your follow-up process:
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Take a personalized approach. Share information and reminders that are relevant to each patient. Patient profiles are a great way to segment your audience and identify the most relevant information to share.
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Use automation. Send email and text reminders when a patient is due for an appointment, or use automated messages to walk patients through their aftercare plan.
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Make it easy to set an appointment. Offer a convenient experience by including a link the patient can use to schedule an appointment when you share a reminder.
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Give patients different options for staying in touch. Let them decide what kind of information they want to receive.
Enhance the Patient Experience With VCD
A positive experience can help patients play a more proactive role in preserving their eye health. Implementing optometric management strategies at every step of the patient’s journey is crucial for delivering an experience that makes patients feel valued and understood.
You can go further by making eye health accessible to everyone with Vision Care Direct’s prepaid plans. By joining our provider network, you’re giving your patients access to affordable exams and more. Get started by scheduling a call with us!
