Launching Your Solo Practice? A Few Things to Consider, Plus 3 Tips for Buying the Right Equipment

When taking into account the current health care landscape and what experts are predicting for the future of patient care, it may seem like a precarious time to hang out your shingle as a solo practitioner.

However, with fewer ophthalmology graduates and a rising number of patients in need, the demand for qualified ophthalmologists in the United States is high, and experts anticipate that demand will keep growing.

Over the next 40 years, America’s elderly population will likely double, producing a larger population of patients with an increased risk for age-related eye conditions such as macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma.

As a solo practitioner, you have an opportunity to provide high-quality, personalized care for your patients while enjoying the autonomy and authority that come with managing your own practice. All in all, starting your solo practice can be a very rewarding experience if done correctly.

What do you need to know to get started?

It’s important to keep in mind that building a thriving practice from the ground up is not just about providing top-notch eye care. You’re essentially launching a small business, which means you will need to be something of an entrepreneur.

After you clear the initial hurdles of obtaining your medical license and DEA number and establishing your practice as a legitimate business entity, begin by outlining your business goals and laying out a plan. Specifically, think about where you want to practice, how you will staff your practice, and, perhaps most importantly, what type of practice you want to have.

Why is this so important?

Because the services you provide will determine the equipment you will need to start seeing patients, and purchasing that equipment will take up a significant portion of your startup budget.

Buying equipment for your new solo practice? Here are 3 quick tips:

1. Know what you need (and what you don’t) As a practitioner, your primary responsibility is to your patients, which means the equipment you choose should be about them, first and foremost. After all, isn’t that what the value-based care model is all about? When you put the patient experience first, health outcomes improve and reimbursements are sure to follow.
   
   That said, when preparing to buy equipment for your new solo practice, think about what services you want to focus on and which pieces of equipment will a.) enable you to perform those services; b.) help you provide a prompt and accurate diagnosis; and c.) ensure the best possible outcomes for your patients.
   
   
2. Buy new equipment for efficiency and longevity. Ophthalmic technology is rapidly evolving, and you want to make sure your equipment retains its diagnostic value for as long as possible. When starting your solo practice, it pays to purchase new digital equipment for several reasons, from increased efficiency and a better ROI to an improved patient experience and more referrals. And the best part is that you can often get a great deal when purchasing a complete exam lane package.
   
   If your budget is limited, you may consider purchasing used or refurbished machinery and accessories for some things in your practice. For more information on this topic, visit our blog, “New or Used Equipment: Which Is Best for Your Practice?”
   
   
3. Consider a Veatch Exam Lane Package. Veatch Ophthalmic Instruments has been serving optometry and ophthalmology professionals for over 30 years, which means we’ve helped countless practitioners select the right equipment to launch and grow a thriving practice.
   
   At the heart of your new practice will be the exam lane, where you will spend eight to 10 hours of your day conducting exams and meeting with patients. We make building your exam lane simple with all-in-one exam lane packages outfitted with the equipment and accessories you need.
   
   To shorten exam times and save you from discomfort, consider a Veatch Technology Exam Lane. It includes an S4Optik 1800 chair and stand combo, a Potec PDR-7000 Digital Refractor, a Veatch E200 Slit Lamp, and a Potec PLC-8000 Visual Acuity System.
   
   Or, if you prefer, you can tell us about your practice and the experts at Veatch can help you build a custom exam lane package that best fits your needs, budget, and practice goals.

Veatch has everything you need to build a successful practice.

Launching your solo practice is a big decision, and the experts at Veatch are with you every step of the way. In addition to exam lanes and larger equipment, we also stock the everyday essentials you’ll need to conduct patient eye exams. From ophthalmoscopes and occluders to everyday supplies like batteries and bulbs, count on Veatch for the best prices on the quality, top-brand supplies you’re looking for.

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