Back at "home" !

No posts for the last couple of weeks, because I have been working for a couple of friends in their practices, so have been out of town.

It's been really interesting - seeing a different group of patients, doing different tests (I have been taking photos for the diabetic retinal screening programme), using different equipment ("Where is the on switch?) and in one case a different computer programme. All a challenge and good fun.

I realised that every practice is different. Most of it is personality-driven - most optometrists have similar skills, so you choose yours because you get on with him/her. Some pracitces just feel "right". Others attract patients for a different reason - perceived price, location, "the only one wh had an appointment to-day and my glasses broke last night". Hopefully, these patients will be happy in their choices, but there should be no embarassment if the patient then decides to return to her previous practice or stay with a new one, if it is a better "fit" for her.

Price isn't everything. But I know that perceived price makes a difference - just ensure that if you want to change practices, make sure you are comparing apples with apples. Feeling at home, knowing that your optometrist welcomes you and is happy to see you (even if you feel that going back for a minor adjustment is wasting her time - it isn't), being remembered and treated as a unique person...all make the experience really what it should be.