How do OD's keep patients coming back for post operative care?

[geronamo26]

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Ive heard that some patients after surgery ususally do not want to go back to the OD for post operative care and rather, stay with the OMD. Are there ways to keep the patients coming back? Why even bother if an OMD can do everything OD's can do? Also, if OD's are refering left and right, what is left for them to do? Do they make the majority of their money from selling contacts and glasses?

 

[KHE]

Ive heard that some patients after surgery ususally do not want to go back to the OD for post operative care and rather, stay with the OMD. Are there ways to keep the patients coming back? Why even bother if an OMD can do everything OD's can do? Also, if OD's are refering left and right, what is left for them to do? Do they make the majority of their money from selling contacts and glasses?

1) I only refer to surgeons who return patients.
2) ODs do not refer "left and right." I guess some do but those are becoming fewer and farther between.
3) Some offices might make most money from the sale of glasses and contacts. I certainly do NOT.

 

[Meibomian SxN]

Ive heard that some patients after surgery ususally do not want to go back to the OD for post operative care and rather, stay with the OMD. Are there ways to keep the patients coming back? Why even bother if an OMD can do everything OD's can do? Also, if OD's are refering left and right, what is left for them to do? Do they make the majority of their money from selling contacts and glasses?

This is not the case in the majority, not even with the minority of cases. When you build a good rapport with patients, they realize why they were referred and seldom "jump ship".

In general patients leave because they were unhappy with the care they were given in the first place. Its not uncommon to see a patient that used to go to an ophthalmologist now want an optometrists care.