FEMTO FACTOR

Femto Factor farewell

Change is inevitable; might as well own it.

By Scott LaBorwit, MD

Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) is no longer a factor but a fixture in the OR or ASC. No more can it be considered the experimental toy at ophthalmology meetings — femto is here to stay. Over the last two years, this column has helped you use FLACS to positively impact your practice. It stimulated you (I hope) to develop your own ideas regarding when to commit to the technology and how to approach your patients with its use. This column encouraged you to create an environment in your practice whereby all staff members approached patients with genuine enthusiasm and a be positive-about-FLACS attitude; we figured out how to create efficiency in the office and in the operating room.

For example, in October 2014 we discussed having strategic conversations. The highlights:

• Keep your own patient education efforts short and to the point.

• Designate another staff member to follow up with additional information if necessary — and to discuss costs.

• Don’t pressure patients to make a decision on femtosecond laser use right away.

INTEGRATION AND DECISION MAKING IN ONE’S PRACTICE

Over the last two years or so of writing this column, we’ve done the deep dive to explain this integration. Whether it was about advancing surgical techniques (August 2015), developing a key message to reach your patients (March 2016), or, if it takes more of a nudge, giving them a demonstration (April 2015), we approached these columns with one endpoint in mind: to show you the faith that we have in the FLACS evidence.

What we don’t have is more to write about — about FLACS, anyway. But more about what’s to come in a minute.

TECHNOLOGY, CHILDREN AND COMFORT ZONES

Technology makes information easy to obtain but has accelerated the pace of change. Mention change and technology and I think of my kids. Just two years ago, for example, I could keep up with them on Facebook. Now Facebook is where my mother posts pictures. For a brief moment Instagram was hot, but that is last year’s news; now to stay relevant I am trying to figure out Snapchat. (Okay, I’m also trying to keep tabs on my kids’ social media lives.)

Alas, the technology and information affecting cataract surgery are moving almost as rapidly. Staying current is necessary. Change is uncomfortable and can be frustrating; you might not be certain if you’re heading in the right direction until you get there.

A WRAP-UP AND NEW BEGINNING

While several facets are critical to successfully packaging FLACS in your practice, remember each department therein will reflect your efforts.

As this column wraps up, take time to reflect how you packaged your product. How are you identified — more like IBM or Apple? No detail is too small to be worthy of your attention — it is the little details that get noticed and have a lasting impact. Open an Apple device package: You will find zero clutter, simple instructions and an overall Zen-like impression.

And now for some things not so simple: personal and professional finances. Yes, these are the topics for our next column — which, incidentally, doesn’t have a name yet. We’d appreciate all suggestions. (Really; the editors here could use the help …) OM

Scott LaBorwit, MD, is a principal at Select Eye Care, with locations in Towson and Elkridge, Md., and is an assistant professor, part-time faculty, at Wilmer Eye Clinic of Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore. His e-mail is Sel104@me.com. Disclosures: Dr. LaBorwit is a consultant to and speaker for Alcon.