Taking the multidisciplinary approach

Optometric Management, Sep 2000 by Kogan, Barbara Anan

Looking for some ways to increase interaction with other healthcare team members?

These days, patients often require interaction among more members of the healthcare team. This places numerous challenges on us for referrals and time spent co-managing these patients.

We may need to help coordinate care for patients with occupational and physical therapists and others. Follow these steps to refer, co-manage and obtain referrals while meeting your patients' needs and expanding your practice.

* STEP 1. Make a chart for you and your staff about the types of conditions and who would provide care. Contact each specialty's local association for knowledge about how they evaluate patients, provide care and what they typically charge for fees.

* STEP 2. Schedule a meeting both in your office and at each healthcare team member's office to discuss care and observe a patient. Consider those specialists who match the geographic distribution of your office and your patients' residences and offices.

* STEP 3. Notify your patients about your expanded role on the healthcare team when they're in the office and in recall notices. Emphasize your role as an optometrist in management and comanagement.

* STEP 4. Follow-up to ensure that referrals are a two-way street and review the progress every 3 months.

* STEP 5. After you've exhausted these referrals, consider the same process for adding these players to your team-plastic surgeons, dermatologists, dentists specializing in cosmetic procedures and orthodontists.

-Dr. Anon Kogan, O.D., who had a referral-only Washington, D.C., practice, has authored more than 150 articles on vision care.