Staffing

KOLOA, Hawaii — Practice owners should broaden their methods of finding new employees to combat staffing shortages, according to a presentation here.

“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure.”

We all remember how drastically our lives and practices were changed during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.”

Delayed patient care is among the significant factors contributing to the “health care crisis” in the United States, according to a recent report from Sage Growth Partners, a business management consulting firm.

Within our current health system, optometry has long served as a physician extender for ophthalmology by providing primary eye care. That said, well beyond the optometrist’s scope of practice is a need for surgeon extenders within certain procedure-based practices such as oculofacial plastics and orbital surgery. Although such discussions are contentious, the realities of modern health care make them necessary. I view the incorporation of surgeon extenders such as advanced practice providers (APPs) including physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners as a means of increasing access while maintaining quality.

“After I won the Oscar, my salary doubled, my friends tripled, my children became more popular at school, my butcher made a pass at me, and my maid hit me up for a raise.”