Hello Fellow Optiboarders,
My question is this - well, kinda in multiple questions; Do you believe that pre-appointing is an effective vehicle to draw back patients? We have been doing so for about six years and we acheive about a 60% return rate, we do however lose the other 40% and the slots become no-shows. There are opportunities to fill those slots, but we are unable to verify if those patients will actually come in, so we lose the opportunity to refill that slot. Now, the Doctor wants to elliminate the pre-appoint system for all routine vision care, with the exception of annual contact lens appointments and medical diag. patients. I understand the CL patients - take them out of the market, but, if we do not draw back the routines, are they not put back into the market for someone else to pick up? According to the doc., there are two thought processes on this topic; 1. Pre-appoint will get some back but not all and not all will purchase - wasted time and energy to get them back. 2. Don't pre-appoint (routine's) fill with medical and cl patients and just hope that service provided to routines had a positive impact to get them to return in 18-24 months.
I am an advocate for pre-appointing regardless of the thought process, because of many factors - keep them in your location. Yes, you will lose some, small price for an inexpensive marketing tactic. Industry is constantly changing, and economic situations fluctuate, keeping a patient out of the market and in your location is crucial to survival. Private practice is much different than retail operations and every edge is important. Etc., etc.
I know I rambled a little bit, but I am a little frustrated with the doc's inability to see my point - so I am turning to you optiboarders to either shut me up or support my theory. Thanks for any input you can provide.
:cheers:
Cowboy
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