The best advice I could offer optometrists who are opening a practice is to use a consultant... Using a consultant has saved me tens of thousands of dollars, but the most valuable service they offer is reassurance.
Regarding the article, Putting Office Interruptions on Hold, in the December 2004 issue, I can think of nothing I would dislike more when calling a doctors office than speaking to a voice mailbox. Someone should answer the phone. That doesnt mean the doctor has to come to the phone immediately. Patients understand when they are told the doctor is with a patient and will call back as soon as possible. Sometimes an assistant can return the patients call and find out the nature of the problem. This is the procedure in most medical offices.
Paul Slaton, O.D.
Hopkins, Minn.
Not Always as Easy as it Sounds
I do not want to sound like a Whiney Wendy, but I have to take issue with the article, Is Student Debt Out of Control? in the July 15, 2004, issue of Review of Optometry. Because I am a young doctor, I read this article with interest. Unfortunately, this article is very misleading. While the indebtedness and cost of tuition have skyrocketed over the past 10 years, this article tries to paint a rosy picture by saying that income for private practitioners has also risen (although the article admits income has not risen as much as tuition.) The fallacy here is that the income quoted is not for new graduates in private practice, but for seasoned, established practices. How can you honestly compare indebtedness at graduation with income earned by people who have been in practice for 10 to 15 years?
In spite of this article, I eagerly looked forward to the article, Starting Up Cold: It Can Be Done, in the August 15, 2004, issue. Unfortunately, this article was also disappointing. Of all the groups mentioned, only the one in Chicago was inspiring. One of the doctors mentioned that his wife runs the business side. Another told of how family members helped out with the money they needed when he was denied a loan for having too small of a down payment. Yet another told of how his real estate developer father gave him a great deal on land. I sure wish my daddy could give me a great deal on land! Unfortunately, most new graduates do not have the luxury of a spouse to work in our offices, relatives to loan us money or parents to give us great deals on land.
Jenny Wheeler, O.D.
Binghamton, N.Y.
A Consultant Can Help!
Ive been out of optometry school for 3 years, and I recently did what I never thought I could doI opened a practice, cold (Starting Up Cold: It Can Be Done, August 2004 issue). Of course I was terrified. I had $120,000 in student loans, a new home and a new baby. The best advice I could offer optometrists who are opening a practice is to use a consultant. With no money in my bank account, I signed on with a consultant on faith. They helped me find the money to pay their fees and all the rest of the money I needed. Using a consultant has saved me tens of thousands of dollars, but the most valuable service they offer is reassurance. Theyve already been through everything Im going through. It"s very reassuring to have a friend who understands and can give advice from experience.
Josh Shows, O.D.
Richmond, Va.
