One question that optometrists should consider is, “When patients walk into your optometry office, how do you want them to feel?” Naturally, patients desire comfortable, welcoming, and modern environments, as these characteristics put them at ease. Therefore, optometrists in Oklahoma and nationwide should ensure their practice captures this aesthetic to improve the patient experience.
Below, we’ll provide a few suggestions on how to design a modern optometry practice. With these tips, optometrists can build a practice that enhances patient loyalty and makes caring for their vision health in OKC and nationwide a worthwhile experience.
#1 Create A Welcoming Environment
One way to promote a welcoming atmosphere is by offering quality, comfortable seating options. Old chairs and worn furniture can make patients disgruntled, especially after waiting for a while. It’s best to opt for a simple, natural color scheme that’s suitable for the audience served.
While quality is important, quantity is too. Optometry practices should have enough seating for everyone, but they shouldn’t feel cluttered, either. Therefore, it may be best to consider an open floor plan where the waiting area is part of the main floor. This type of design is not only more modern but also more inviting and minimalistic.
Patients who receive vision care in OKC and other cities will feel especially welcomed by appropriate lighting. Always ensure that light levels are appropriate and double-check that there are little to no reflective surfaces. In addition, the sound is another element to consider. Relaxing music can help calm patients.
#2 Optimize Efficiency
Optometry practices should take a walk in their patient’s shoes to identify any bottlenecks or barriers. If there’s often a lot of foot traffic or extended wait times, add additional stations to streamline the check-in/check-out process.
For example, one practice implemented a U-shaped hallway where patients enter/leave in one area and providers and staff in another. So, even though foot traffic is occurring, it doesn’t come across as busy and chaotic. They’ve also automated their pretest equipment, which allows staff to focus on other important tasks.
#3 Pay Attention to the Small Stuff
It’s incredibly important to assess the little things that patients may notice but busy staff may not. For instance, make sure magazines are up-to-date and that the coffee machine is working. Also, if there is a radio or television in the practice, ensure the channels played are appropriate. These small things can make improving vision health in OKC and beyond a much better experience for patients.
#4 Make Improving One’s Vision Health an Experience
Rethink the conventional codes of medical practice design and achieve a design aesthetic that makes patients ask themselves if they’re really at an optometry practice. For instance, an optical business based out of Cleveland offers its patients two waiting areas.
One waiting area is filled with comfortable couches and chairs. Then, the other area that’s closer to the frames has two bars with stools. Both areas offer coffee, soft drinks, and even cocktails to patients while they wait. Such an environment allows staff to engage with patients and better understand their needs.
Tips for Designing a Modern Optometry Practice Unveiled
Creating a more modern optometry practice, coupled with offering an optometry-owned vision plan, is sure to improve the patient experience. Enhance patient loyalty and provide a vision plan that puts the doctor back in control of patient care with Unity Vision.
