Terrific video by Derron Lee, OD. This video was originally posted on OD's on Facebook. This video is a bit long, but all the information is pertinent. Designing something like this for your practice will undoubtedly increase sales and profits, something we can all use these days, eh?

Thanks to John Warren, OD for this link,  posted earlier today on the Optcomlist. Walt 

Source: USA Today

The American Bar Association and 200 law schools it accredits are under growing pressure from Congress to quell complaints that colleges are misleading students about job prospects and saddling graduates with loans they can't afford to repay.UOTE

http://usat.ly/u7TOq8

Source: kevinmd.com 

According to American Medical News, they’re looking for jobs with the following criteria: “The most important items would be the ability to show a stable, growing practice and quality of life … The stability would come from a practice that generates most of their collections from commercial insurance, as Medicare cuts are looming. The ideal quality of life would be a four-day workweek with little to no call. Financially, they would need to offer employment plus production bonus and would need to be above the 50th percentile for their specialty.” 

http://bit.ly/vOPl7g

How practices are responding to the onslaught of online optical sales is a major topic on Optcomlist, as I'm sure it is on FB, OD Wire and other venues. Jeffrey Palmer, OD of Middletown, CT has developed a clear and firm policy regarding online optical purchases. Here's what he activitely informs patients: 

Source: Optcomlist (by permission)

While we discourage ordering eyeglasses, especially bifocals, progressives and high powers, online, we realize that some patients will still want to purchase their eyewear that way. The Palmer Eyecare Center will take the critical measurements and adjust your frame for a fee of $69. This fee is built in to every pair of eyeglasses that we dispense ourselves. Keep in mind that adjusting an ophthalmic frame can result in it breaking if done incorrectly or if the frame has quality problems of its own. We cannot be responsible for the quality (or lack of quality) of your online frame. Should it break, you will have to return it to the online supplier for repair or replacement. Our suggestion is to be absolutely sure that you have a money back guarantee so that you may return the eyeglasses if they don't perform as you expect. If your eyeglasses don't work and are returned, we will credit the $69. that you paid our office toward a new pair of eyeglasses from us, eyeglasses with the full two-year warranty from our office. 

This is fascinating and is very pertinent to how you run your practice. Walt



Source: The Optometry Blog / YouTube  

This lively RSAnimate, adapted from Dan Pink's talk at the RSA, illustrates the hidden truths behind what really motivates us at home and in the workplace.

http://bit.ly/q850lk

Source: newsfromaoa.org

In collaboration with educators, vision researchers and specialist advisors from across the 3-D industry, the AOA has released a comprehensive report for teachers, students and parents that describes and explains the optimal uses of 3-D in the classroom, including how 3-D approaches to learning serve as a fulcrum for enhanced teaching and improved assurance of school readiness.

http://bit.ly/rs3W2t

Source: modernmedicine.com 

Not long ago, sales of luxury eyewear brands suffered along with the rest of the U.S. economy. As our economic recovery inches forward, the stock market and general consumer confidence continue on a roller coaster ride. Yet, one premium eyewear giant posted record sales growth in the first half of 2011. The wealthy are again buying designer apparel and luxury cars. 

http://bit.ly/nZHLc9

A Restaurant, Dive Shop, And Bakery Share Their Groupon Experience (TCTV) | TechCrunch http://tcrn.ch/qt0biA 

Speaker: Charles Brownlow, OD
Tues., Oct. 25, 2011 11 a.m. CDT
This course will utilize medical record details from cases that optometrists deal with in their practices.  A variety of cases will be chosen, featuring new ICD-9 codes for glaucoma diagnosis and coding challenges faced by doctors and staff each day.  Coding decisions will be based on the definitions in Current Procedural Terminology and the Documentation Guidelines for the Evaluation and Management Services.
Register: http://bit.ly/qmBTxs 

Review of Optometry® > Income Survey: Penny Pinching Pays Off http://bit.ly/p6ivkC 

Oliver Lu, OD's recent post on Review of Optometric Business:

Giving patients an iPad to explore while they wait for an exam may not shorten their wait time—but it makes the experience more enjoyable. Having iPads in your practice also promotes a positive, high-tech image.

http://bit.ly/qJ6bi5 

Nice! Kudos to Dr. Heeg for this excellent PDF!

First Year In Practice E-book | OptometryStudents.com http://bit.ly/oP4Ysm 

OD offers tips on creating associate agreement « News from the AOA's Blog: http://bit.ly/qcG3TS

Thanks to Thomas Baugh, OD of the Optcomlist for this link:

You Know Things Are Bad When Doctor Visits Plunge 8% Year-Over Year http://read.bi/qlBMi5z

From the AOA Blog:

The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering four online podcasts on the ICD-10 coding system. The podcasts are based on a popular series of CMS National Provider Calls on the codes.

“These podcasts are perfect for use in the office, on the go in your car, or on your portable media player or smart phone. Listen to all of the podcasts from a call or just the ones that fit your need,” the CMS notes. http://bit.ly/r5fnQd