Etiquette for OMD

[ping1050]

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Hi all, i'm a recently graduated OMD, who will be starting at a job where I literally have no connections. Looking for some opinions regarding introducing myself to ODs in the area.

I realize that office time is precious and often hectic, so I'd appreciate hearing some opinions regarding do's and don'ts of meeting ODs. Always bring food to office? Cold call? Our practice will not be dispensing glasses, so that obviously I'll mention that, but otherwise what things about an potential OMD referral would you like to know? Would you suggest bringing up comanagement?

Thanks and I appreciate your input!

 

[Jason K]

You'd probably have much better luck posting this on ODWire.org. Most of the people on this forum are students.

 

[DrVinzKlortho]

ODs are some of quirkiest people on this crumbling planet. I've met some that get pissed if you bring them the wrong bagels and I've met others that would've wed right on the spot--same sex or traditional. I travel with OMDs to ODs offices fairly frequently and generally snacks and coffee for the staff with lunch for the OD(s) seems to be the best combo. Cold calls are difficult and you will undoubtedly deal with some ****ty (often one IQ point away from mental ******ation) office staff. Emphasis the comanagement arrangement: who's going to see the cataract post-ops, refractive surgery pre- and post-ops, yags, SLTs, PIs, etc. Many ODs love to comanage but not all.

 

[optsuker]

. Always bring food to office? Cold call? Our practice will not be dispensing glasses,

this alone will go a long way.

so that obviously I'll mention that, but otherwise what things about an potential OMD referral would you like to know? Would you suggest bringing up comanagement?

I'd definitely bring up the comanagement.
I'd schedule a time to stop in & talk to the doc, not just stop in.

What I appreciate from the OMD's I refer to:
-Phone line to call that skips all the patient prompts
-Referral card that lets me fill in their appt time & has map to your location
-Quick turnaround on correspondence & short phone call for the interesting stuff (when we send you something weird, we want to know what it was)

 

[KHE]

Let me make a suggestion for you if you want referrals from optometrists.

The best way to get referrals from optometrists (beyond making sure you return their patients to them) is to refer some of YOUR patients to them.

If you have contact lens patients that are difficult, send them to the OD. If you have a patient who needs glasses, send them to the OD.

The mistake that many ophthalmologists make is that they do one of two things....

"There's nothing that can be done." I've seen tons of these of cases over the years of patients who have -1.25 cyl axis 30 who have been told they can't wear contact lenses. Ridiculous.

-or-

"You should see an optometrist for your contact lenses and glasses."

Don't say that. Say "you should see Dr. SO AND SO for your glasses and contact lenses and give them an appointment card and directions just as the optometrist would give his patients appointment cards and directions when referring to you.

Remember....referrals are not a one way street.

 

[310]

Make it clear what you do and what insurances you take. Do not steal patients from ODs who monitor diabetes closely or treat glaucoma and want the patients back.

 

[20DOC20]

OK. This is going to show my age, but what is an OMD?

Is that an ophthalmologist? Or is OMD another optometry degree?