practice management help desk
Getting Your Name Out There

Ophthalmologists recognize the importance of having a presence on the Internet as a way to develop larger patient bases and grow their practices. This can be especially important if a large part of their practice is performing LASIK or surface ablation. A one-time refractive procedure on young and otherwise healthy patients may mean it is years before these patients are back in a refractive surgeon's office. As such, ophthalmologists must seek out ways to bring in new patients. Marketing becomes a part of their business plans.

Complimentary listings are the Basic and the newly added Basic Plus. The former allows a doctor to list his or her name, phone number and street address of the practice. The Basic Plus listing includes: a personalized folio page that lets patients get to know the doctor's practice and the services the doctor offers; a photo of the doctor and key staff members; a listing of doctor's credentials, education, training and related background information and two free patient leads per month.

The Virtual Practice Tour and Locate a Doctor Insider are two additional site features. The Virtual Practice Tour allows doctors to add photos of their practices and a limited description so prospective patients can get a glimpse of the practice. The Insider feature asks physicians predetermined online questions to elicit responses that can provide more information about a doctor's practice, which can be utilized as part of a listing.

LocateADoc.com also offers advertised listings. Along with the aforementioned features, doctors who advertise on the site receive preferred prominent placement.

Doctors can sign up online for a listing. Upon signing up, the company verifies doctor specialties and qualifications. Interested doctors can go to www.locateadoc.com/Doctors Only/index.cfm.

Editor's Note: Ophthalmology Management has created a new column dedicated to presenting resource information to help doctors enhance communication with their patients and colleagues.