Practice Metrics

Practice Reminders Drive Patient Recall

Some 67 percent of patients visiting optometrists made their appointment because it was time for their regular comprehensive examination and–importantly–because the doctor’s office notified them to do so, according to the American Optometric Association’s Caring for the Eyes of America 2010 research report. Twenty-one percent only made an appointment because they were experiencing vision difficulties. Nine percent needed a new lens or lenses prescription; 6 percent had an eye infection, disease or injury; 2 percent wanted or needed new eyeglasses or contact lenses; another 2 percent made their appointment because their eyeglasses or contact lenses were damaged or lost; and 1 percent made their appointment to talk to their eye doctor about laser vision correction.

The most effective recall system is pre-appointment. You already pre-appoint corneal ulcer patients and glaucoma medication change patients. In other words, if you are currently pre-appointing for one day and one month, what’s the big deal about one year? Eighty percent of your patients will do what you ask. Twenty percent will choose to remain under the traditional recall system. Utilize systems within your practice that are most effective for the majority of your patients.

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