Patients today have an unprecedented number of choices when it comes to choosing providers and health care options. The days of “doctor knows best” and being loyal to the same practice for decades are over. According to Becker’s Hospital Review, “Consumers are scrutinizing the quality and cost of their health care, and they’re more apt and able to look elsewhere when their providers don’t measure up to their expectations.”Read More
For some ophthalmologists and optometrists, adding cosmetic services to their practices happens naturally. A patient who comes in for an eye exam may ask about eyelash-lengthening serums like Latisse, or a blepharoplasty patient may inquire about Botox. For other eye doctors, adding aesthetic offerings is a strategic decision to increase revenue. There are pros and cons to delving into cosmetic procedures and products, as well as some special considerations to be aware of. Here, experts discuss what you need to know.Read More
Most people in the U.S. have embraced mobile technology—and are using it to monitor and improve their health. About one in five Americans now wears a smartwatch or fitness tracker, according to Pew Research Center. Nine in 10 Americans ages 34 and under have a smartphone, and those age 50 and older are catching up, with 67 percent adopting the technology as of 2019.Read More
Most eye surgeries are now performed in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) rather than hospitals, a major shift that has occurred over the course of a decade. According to a study conducted by University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center researchers, the proportion of cataract surgeries performed at ASCs increased steadily to reach 73 percent in 2014, compared to just over 43 percent in 2001.Read More
How do doctors spend their time? Not the way most of them want to be spending it, unfortunately. Studies show that doctors are devoting more hours to paperwork and administrative tasks than to patient care—and that’s a problem that impacts patient satisfaction and can lead to doctor burnout. What’s a busy doctor to do? A combination of better time management and digital tools may be the answer. Read More
Consider the following scenario: a patient comes in to see you—an older male, overweight, with a family history of diabetes. Do you:
A) Hand him a brochure that warns of the dangers of pre-diabetes and lists risk factors, or
B) Tell him a story about another patient who was embarrassed to take his grandson swimming, and so began an exercise program that enabled him to feel better and lose 17 percent of his body weight, an amount shown to reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes by 85 percent?Read More
