As Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to spread across multiple continents and throughout the U.S., most medical practices are feeling the impact of this global pandemic. On March 18, 2020, the American Academy of Ophthalmology released recommendations regarding urgent and nonurgent patient care, which advised that all ophthalmologists cease providing any treatment other than urgent or emergent care immediately.Read More
Health care has a trust problem. Recent data shows patient trust in the health care industry is declining, according to Modern Healthcare. There are many reasons for this, including rising out-of-pocket costs for patients, shorter office visits with doctors under pressure to see more patients, and physician conflicts of interest. News stories such as the $145 million fine imposed on software company Practice Fusion for a kickback scheme that pushed doctors to overprescribe opioids certainly aren’t helping the problem.Read More
Chronic diseases are the leading causes of death and disability in the U.S. According to CDC data, 6 in 10 American adults have a chronic disease, and 4 in 10 have two or more. Chronic diseases—which include heart disease, cancer, diabetes, COPD, and Alzheimer’s, as well as non-life threatening conditions such as dry eye, glaucoma, and tinnitus—are also the leading drivers of the nation’s $3.5 trillion in annual health care costs.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 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
