3 Tips to Address the Challenges of Rural Optometry

In a previous writing, we discussed 3 challenges of practicing rural optometry.  They were:
 
The Health Effects Related to the Socio-Economic Realities
The Challenges of Medicaid Eye Care
Acquiring and Keeping a Quality Staff
 
And while the scope of addressing each issue could fill a book, I thought it would be helpful to offer a few tips to help.
 
First, how do you address the health effects related to the socio-economic realities?  This one is not a strategy.  This is a return to your roots.  As we spoke about in Book #2 of the Prosight Success System, we have to return to the Optometric Oath:
 
With full deliberation I freely and solemnly pledge that: I will practice the art and science of optometry faithfully and conscientiously, and to the fullest scope of my competence.
 
You see, some of your patients habitually ignore the eye-related effects of their socio-economic environment.  They are only going to change when you persevere faithfully and conscientiously to help them see the damage they are doing to their eyes. I wish this one was a quick tip or a quick fix, but it is not.  Helping them is going to come down to your persistence in treatment and follow up.

Second, how do you address the challenges of a Medicaid-heavy eye practice?  Again, whew.  Yes, a lot of perseverance is going to come with this one.  But here is the thing.   The particular patterns of patients with Medicaid differ from region to region.  All you can do is figure out a philosophy that is ethical and communicated.  If you accept Medicaid, then joyfully see Medicaid patients, and communicate with them.  If you double book, then let them know the office is going to be busy.  If you don’t schedule them but just tell them to come in, be sure they get treated as well as other patients.  You can’t “fix” the challenges seeing Medicaid patients, but you can lessen the challenges while still treating the patients with dignity.

Third, staffing.  Here is the one you can address.  No, you may not find an incredible staff.  But typically, you can find one, rock solid employee.  The best way to address the other issues is by investing in that one staff.  Pay them well, train them well.  Make sure they know they are respected and appreciated.  If you’ve got that one, hold onto them, and put as many decent pieces around them.  All you need is that one.

The challenges of practicing rural Optometry aren’t going to go away, but you can mitigate some of the challenges.  Prosight says, “Cheers” to all of you doing the hard work.

Resources for staffing and increased sales can be found in our Prosight Success System.  Additionaly, download “The 7 Essentials of Profitable Eye Care” for free if you would like to begin moving your practice towards greater profitability.  Check it out, and let us know how we can help further.
 
Gordon Duncan
ProSight Success System