While the business aspect of an optometrist's practice may come second to patient care, optometrists today are faced with greater competition for new patients and income. This updated guide shows readers how to work smarter through effective practice management to offset reduced earnings due to fixed reimbursements of managed care and competition from 1-800 contact lens companies and chains selling discount frames and lenses. Drawing on over 40 years of experience, the author presents practical strategies for addressing the problems of day-to-day practice, and explains how to develop business and marketing plans without detracting from the optometrist's professional image. This edition features an increased focus on how to work with partners (including how to exit gracefully from a partnership), how to start a part-time practice, and how to be creative in practice. Authored by an expert in the field of practice management and optometry for the most effective, realistic advice and guidance. Concise, readable text synthesizes the author's 40-plus years of expertise in optometric practice. Necessary business and marketing skills are presented in a way that is compatible the optometrist's professional image. Tips and tools are provided on how to approach the client as both a consumer and a patient. Helpful information for students or optometrists who own or are planning to own their own practice.

1. Optometry in the 21st century -- 2. Location, location, location -- 3. Your office for the future -- today -- 4. So you want to start a part-time office -- 5. Staff: how to hire and train -- 6. Staff: a major reason for success.or lack of it -- 7. What the consumer is saying -- 8. Harnessing eyewear materials -- 9. Practice management and "specialties" -- 10. Practice management and unmet needs -- 11. Newsletters: optimum weapon for private practice -- 12. Recalling patients successfully -- 13.Communications beyond newsletters and recalling -- 14. The management of third party care -- 15. Taking the Pulse of a Practice: Part I -- 16. Taking the Pulse of a Practice: Part II -- 17. How to Evaluate the Price of an Optometric Practice for Sale or Partnership -- 18.A Partnership Agreement that works -- 19. Co-Management, Insurance and Leasing vs. Buying -- 20. Potpourri of Practice Management Ideas -- Appendices.

First ed. published under title: Management for the eyecare practitioner.

Includes index.

1. Optometry in the 21st century -- 2. Location, location, location -- 3. Your office for the future today -- 4. So you want to start a part-time office -- 5. Staff: how to hire and train -- 6. Staff: a major reason for success or lack of it -- 7. What the consumer is saying -- 8. Harnessing eyewear materials -- 9. Practice management and "specialties" -- 10. Practice management and unmet needs -- 11. Newsletters: optimum weapon for private practice -- 12. Recalling patients successfully -- 13. Communications beyond newsletters and recalling -- 14. Management of third-party vision and eye care -- 15. Taking the pulse of a practice: part I -- 16. Taking the pulse of a practice: part II -- 17. How to evaluate the price of an optometric practice for sale or partnership -- 18. A partnership agreement that works -- 19. Co-management, insurance, and leasing versus buying -- 20 Potpourri of practice management ideas -- Appendices -- Index.

Print version record.

Elsevier ScienceDirect All Books