201 Secrets of a High-Performance Optometric Practice

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This one-of-a-kind compilation presents 201 easy-to-read, ready-to-use strategies for creating the most successful, bottom-line oriented optometric practice. Tested tips and "hard-learned lessons" describe proven ways to dramatically elevate patient satisfaction, communication skills, referrals, image, fee structure, productivity, profitability, practice growth, management and motivation, and much more. Readers will learn how to attract more private pay patients as well as how to retain employees who work hard, enjoy what they're doing, and pull together to make and keep your practice successful. Case histories from the "Success Files" gathered from leading practices throughout the country reveal opportunities for revenue enhancement and tremendous practice growth. A chapter on market research illustrates how patients, employees, and referring physicians view a practice, its policies, procedures, and personnel to help optometrists understand what they're doing right and how they could improve. Hard-learned lessons about practice and staff management from leading practitioners in optometry, as well as other health care professions, offer practical, real-world advice for practice growth. Methods for attracting more private pay patients reduces dependence on managed care and the stress of a high-volume, time-pressured schedule. Long range, strategic planning introduces critical decisions that every growth-conscious optometrist must make about his or her practice and sets the stage for revenue enhancement and accelerated growth. 14 low-cost, easy-to-use market research techniques highlight the reader's strengths, weaknesses, and "blind spots" in order to make the practice more appealing to patients, staff members, referring physicians and others. 35 substantial and sustainable ways to differentiate a practice give the reader a strong competitive advantage in attracting new patients, generating more referrals, and upgrading the fee structure. 24 savvy networking strategies are designed to produce a stream of referrals from primary care physicians, pediatricians, ophthalmologists, teachers, school nurses, physical therapists, pharmacists, psychologists and others. Critical communication skills for doctors and staff members improve patient acceptance of periodic comprehensive eye exams, premium lens options, quality sunwear, and prescriptions for vocational and avocational visual needs. Proven ways to cope with increased competition and declining reimbursement rates by third-party payers help the reader develop a more satisfying and successful optometric practice. 22 "do's and don'ts" of setting, raising, and discounting fees from practitioners who learned the hard way about the impact that changes in fees have on profitability. 16 hard-learned lessons about hiring employees enable readers to learn from the mistakes of others and build a high performance team of loyal, enthusiastic, service-oriented employees. Stress management strategies reduce practice-related stress, prevent staff burnout, and add a sense of fun to the workday. Patient education tips facilitate the development of high-trust relationships with patients, resulting in better informed, highly motivated, more appreciative patients.