New Ideas to Elevate the Patient Experience

NEW YORK—Digital technologies and access to business of all types, and health care in particular, have been on the rise for the past 18 months as the pandemic has transformed people’s work and personal lives. As a result, patient receptivity to digital tools, which can make their interactions with business more convenient and streamlined, have gained a lot of traction.

Reengineering and Renovation

The term “work in progress” accurately defines most prescription optical laboratories. No matter how smoothly a lab may be running, there’s always something that needs updating or replacing, whether it’s adding a single piece of equipment, reengineering an entire production line or even building a whole facility. It’s an endless cycle of invention and reinvention, and labs must learn to adjust to it while continuing to service customers, a challenge which can be daunting for any business.

VM Summit Panel: How Do New Remote Monitoring Tech and Wearables Extend ECP Relationships and Promote Healthy Outcomes?

NEW YORK—Escalated by the pandemic, consumers and patients are demonstrating their openness to using new technologies to redefine their own sense of wellness and take care of their own health. This is furthering the advent of new remote monitoring systems and wearables which are directly involving the patient in managing care with their doctors. Experts discussed these "Remote Possibilities" during VM's virtual Leadership Summit last week. They talked about how these technology developments can actually strengthen provider relationships with patients and provide healthier outcomes, too.

CooperVision’s Michele Andrews Talks About the Evolution of the ‘Best Practices’ Recognition Program

NEW YORK—CooperVision opened the application process for its Best Practices program in mid-September, and in doing so provided some updates that are designed to make it easier for eyecare practices to enter the program and for the judges to evaluate the diverse group of entries and focus areas the competition has come to attract. With the changes, in 2022 Best Practices will be recognized specifically for the areas of optometry in which they truly shine, CooperVision noted. VMAIL Weekend recently sat down with Michele Andrews, OD, CooperVision’s vice president, professional & government affairs, to get a better understanding of what’s new in the Best Practices program.

VM Summit Session Examines How to Rebuild Patient Trust in the Wake of the Pandemic

NEW YORK—As the Oct. 20 virtual VM Leadership Summit kicked off on Wednesday afternoon, two expert speakers talked about how the pandemic has put patients' trust to the test, and more importantly, how providers can tackle the issue of misinformation and help counter the formidable challenge of rebuilding that trust. In a session titled Rebuilding Trust, Dr. John Whyte, chief medical officer for WebMD and Jennifer Hauser, head of Edelman’s Wellness 360 business unit, shared views about how today’s eyecare professionals can build trust with their patients.