Local Eye Site recently had the opportunity to interview Carla Mack, O.D., M.B.A., FAAO. Dr. Mack is the Director of Global Medical Affairs Vision Care for Bausch & Lomb (B&L). We discussed B&L’s newest venture, the Center for Patient Insights (CPI).
“The main goal of CPI is to deliver news and patient insight that can help any eye care practitioner better understand their patient, and ultimately provide better vision care for them,” said Dr. Mack. B&L is trying to present something new and different within the industry. CPI is meant to be a reliable, credible resource that provides easily accessible information.
As eye care professionals, we assume that practitioners know and understand their patients’ concerns when it comes to choosing contact lenses. However, it never hurts for practitioners to receive patient feedback from a different perspective. Dr. Mack mentioned that CPI has commissioned a number of patient surveys in order to gauge patient’s understanding of current knowledge and products that exist on the market. Dr. Mack stresses the information is unbiased. Not all of CPI’s content is generated by B&L. “Some of the patient insights are commissioned by B&L and some of it comes from peer review journal articles and other recognized sources such as HPR and Gallup; The information is not meant to be geared towards B&L as product promotion. For example, we just announced results from a 200-person survey showing that 80% of soft toric lens wearers in the U.S. have experienced a rotational recovery issue, such as blurred or fluctuating vision that can happen during normal life activities like lens insertion or rubbing of the eyes. This high statistic demonstrates that, we, as an industry of eye care professionals, must be sure to address rotational recovery with patients and provide soft toric lens options that rapidly return to their resting position.”
At the Center for Patient Insights AOA Launch Event this past June, there was a panel discussion in which Dr. Mack participated. She addressed the question of patient motivation to wear daily disposable contact lenses. It was clear, based on a real-time audience survey, the audience of practitioners believed that convenience is a factor when patients choose their lenses. Dr. Mack commented, “I think convenience is one aspect that appeals to patients but different practitioners have different ways of discussing and recommending lens options; It really depends on where the value lies for the patients. Although convenience is important, the health benefits of a daily disposable lens is another important factor.” Dr. Mack had a similar answer when asked about the cost-effectiveness of lenses. Essentially she said it comes down to value and what your patients look for in a lens. “If their needs are met, they’ve picked the right lens, regardless of price.”
CPI is for optometrists, opticians, general staff and ophthalmologists, “If you have contact lens patients, it is our intent that you will find some information that can be applied to your practice.” The website is not the only tool B&L plans to use to push out valued information. “It’s not so much about promoting the website; It’s about making sure the information is distributed through a number of channels that are accessible to eye care professionals,” Dr. Mack added. Through newsletters, practitioner events and Patient Points, Bausch & Lomb and Center for Patient Insights, hope to partner with eye care practitioners to provide timely patient insights that can help practices achieve great patient outcomes, satisfaction, and vision health.
{ 0 comments… add one now }