Patient compliance plays a pivotal role in maintaining optimal vision and preventing ocular complications. And yet, certain types of compliance are terrible. Our estimates put patient dry eye compliance (fish oil, warm compress, and eyelid hygiene every day) at under 3% without Peeq Pro, and under 10% with Peeq Pro.
To build a better compliance plan:
Understanding the communication preferences of patients is paramount in designing an effective outreach strategy. For instance, some patients may prefer receiving detailed instructions via email regarding warm compress techniques, while others may respond better to concise SMS reminders about eyelid hygiene routines. Conducting surveys or simply asking patients during consultations can offer valuable insights into their preferred communication mediums. The easiest way to understand your patients is to simply ask their preference. It is also important to explain why you want to communicate with them regularly.Â
Â
Â
Here are some elements of messages tailored to improve compliance:
- Clear Instructions: Messages should provide clear, step-by-step instructions on implementing eye care routines, such as how to properly perform warm compresses or maintain eyelid hygiene. Moreover, many patients are elderly so providing verbal and written instructions may be necessary.
- Benefits-Oriented: Highlighting the benefits of each practice, such as reduced dryness or relief from discomfort, can motivate patients to adhere to their eye care routines consistently. It is also important to stress the continuous nature of eyelid hygiene and the fluctuating need for eye drops or compresses.
- Personalization: Personalizing messages based on individual patient needs and eye health conditions can enhance relevance and resonate better with recipients. For example, recommending specific fish oil supplements tailored to patients with dry eye syndrome.
- Encouragement and Support: Incorporating empathy and encouragement in messages can provide reassurance and support to patients, especially when adopting new eye care practices. Offering words of encouragement can motivate patients to stay committed to their eye health journey.
- Use multiple channels. For example, social media is their timeline, SMS for positive reinforcement once a week, and an email on a set schedule. This type of blended approach helps patients without becoming a pest on a single channel.
- Be open to patients requesting daily reminders. Some patients want a text at bedtime to wash their eyelids for a couple of weeks or a month as they are forming a habit. That’s a good sign.
- Compliance means refilling needed products. Many doctors find it off-putting to ask patients to buy products. But, daily lenses, contact lens solution, and other products are depletion products that need to be purchased regularly. Learn to be okay with your patients' choices as a consumer.
Integrating multiple communication channels such as email, SMS, and phone calls can significantly enhance reach and effectiveness. For instance:
- Email: Ideal for sending detailed instructions on warm compress techniques, eyelid hygiene routines, and information about fish oil supplements.
- SMS: Perfect for sending quick reminders about using eye drops for short-term relief or gentle nudges to adhere to daily eye care routines.
- Phone Calls: Useful for personalized follow-ups, addressing specific concerns, or providing additional support to patients struggling with compliance.
- Social Media: Often seen as a marketing tool, a doctor’s social media is really an opportunity to educate and inform your followers, who are almost always patients.
By leveraging a combination of these mediums strategically, optometrists can cater to different patient preferences, reinforce key messages, and ultimately foster better adherence to eye care routines, leading to improved eye health outcomes and enhanced quality of life.