Just as springtime reflects growth and the sprouting of new opportunities, our latest Ophthalmic Professional articles have been planned to provide you with a great variety of information and education that might help you and your team think about new ways to approach things in your practice.

I think about our articles in three ways:

The WHAT: Providing education around both existing and new procedures offered for various eye conditions allows us to fully understand or review each procedure, including how it is intended to benefit the patient.

For example, Sergina Flaherty, COMT, OSC, explains excimer laser procedures (p. 18), and Jessica Heckman, OD, and Shari West, CPSS, cover premium IOLs (p. 24).

The HOW: Recognizing that optimal outcomes of care are predicated on effective staff and patient education, our articles include valuable information and a wide range of best practices around treatment coordination and communication.

For example, Sergina’s article on excimer lasers includes guidance for staff on their important role with patients. Gregory Parkhurst, MD, FACS, explains how gaining efficiencies in cataract surgery relies on building staff knowledge and their ability to communicate effectively with patients (p. 20).

Paul Larson, MBA, MMSc, COMT, explains changes in new glaucoma codes and offers advice on how to code and file claims when more one or more minimally-invasive glaucoma surgery is performed during a single surgical session (p. 28).

THE WHY: Now more than ever, with the employment market as it is, the importance of developing and sustaining a healthy and fulfilling workplace culture is key to success. If the staff is satisfied in their work, chances are greater that patients will be pleased with the practice’s care. Finding the “why,” or purpose in our work, helps to create and retain a cohesive work team focused on excellent patient care.

Practice founder, Jay Pepose, MD, PhD, and members of the allied staff at Pepose Vision Institute describe the culture in his practice that is built on shared values and encourages loyalty across the whole team (p. 10).

As springtime begins, we hope that you find inspiration from the “What, How, and Why” in this edition that will help you to cultivate something new or improved for your team and your patients. OP