Welcome to the inaugural episode of Future Focus, The NextGEN OD, Canada Podcast. In this episode, we engage in a compelling discussion about various practice modalities in optometry, including corporate, private, and surgical settings. We delve deep into the differences in patient interactions, follow-up care, and the unique challenges faced by optometrists in these environments.

Key Points Discussed:

Patient Dynamics in Corporate Settings:

• Patients often prioritize expedience in services, such as acquiring glasses, over health concerns, leading to lower follow-up rates.
• Optometrists may experience a sense of disconnection from their patients, which can impact their responsibility for ongoing care.

Surgical and Hospital Settings:

• These environments offer opportunities to engage with unique and complex cases, enhancing skills in ocular disease management.
• High patient volume and on-call responsibilities present challenges that can affect work-life balance.

Mom-and-Pop Optical Practices:

• Smaller, independent practices provide greater control over schedules and patient care but come with pressures from optical owners regarding pricing and services.
• Balancing personal standards with business pressures, particularly concerning pricing for exams, can be complex.

Professional Identity and Patient Care:

• Optometrists frequently grapple with their professional identity and how patients perceive their role, particularly in corporate settings, impacting the perceived quality of care.
• Many optometrists aspire to practice in alignment with their values and expertise, particularly regarding the products and treatments they can offer.

This conversation underscores the importance of understanding the advantages and challenges of different practice settings for new optometrists, serving as a valuable resource for students and recent graduates navigating their early careers.

Your Hosts:

• Amrit Bilkhu, OD, FAAO, FOVDR
• Dr. Amrit Bilkhu graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry in 2019 and completed a Vision Therapy & Rehabilitation residency program at UC Berkeley School of Optometry in 2020. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and the Optometrists in Vision Development and Rehabilitation. Dr. Bilkhu owns her private practice, Northern Sight Optometry, in Vaughan, Ontario. In her spare time, she serves as a board member for Vision Therapy Canada, writes articles for optometry blogs, and shares her knowledge on her professional social media page.
• Alexa Hecht, OD
• Dr. Alexa Hecht obtained her Doctor of Optometry from the University of Waterloo in 2021. She currently practices at Bayview Vision in Toronto, Canada, where she enjoys seeing patients of all ages and has a clinical interest in dry eye disease and ocular aesthetics. Dr. Hecht has a significant social media following on Instagram and TikTok, where she aims to educate the public about the importance of eye health and clean beauty habits. She is passionate about inspiring and mentoring the next generation of optometrists.

Future Focus is proudly sponsored by Eye Recommend.

Eye Recommend is a dynamic network of independent optometrists dedicated to providing personalized, comprehensive eye care. They offer outstanding career opportunities across various optometry specialties, along with signing bonuses, mentorship programs, and access to exclusive world-class events and education. With a vast network of experts and clinics nationwide, they empower optometry students and recent graduates to build successful and fulfilling careers.

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