While originally spun from the dental world by Tim Brown, President of ROI Corporation, this story resonates just as profoundly within the realm of optometry.
Reflecting on Tim’s eye-opening narrative. “Why Toilets Matter”, it’s clear that the nuances of practice environment extend far beyond mere aesthetics or functionality. They’re crucial to the very valuation of an optometric practice.
Here’s a curious tidbit that Tim shared, illustrating the point perfectly: A dental office in an older medical building introduced door codes for bathroom access, changing them occasionally.
Imagine, if you will, a patient viewing this sign!
This isn’t just about security or modernization; it’s a testament to how amenities, as mundane as bathroom access, can significantly impact a practice’s perceived value.
Amenities such as these aren’t just physical attributes; they’re reflections of how a practice values its staff, patients, and overall operational ethos. And guess what? This wisdom utterly applicable to the optometry world as well.
Tim draws from a decade of hands-on clinical experience before venturing into the appraisal and valuation arena, He has navigated diverse practice settings, each with its unique challenges and comforts. The conclusion? The quality and availability of facilities like bathrooms genuinely matter.
Imagine the daily grind in an optometry practice – it’s a marathon of mental and physical exertion. From the moment you step through those doors, it’s non-stop. The availability of a private space to catch a moment’s breath between patients isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity.
Yet, disappointingly, this basic requirement remains elusive in many settings. Consider a working mother returning from parental leave, the absence of a private, comfortable space for necessities like breast milk pumping – relegated instead to a cramped public restroom! Disheartening.
Key Point: Minor Details Impact Practice Value
We’ve witnessed firsthand the discomfort of staff and patients sharing a too-close-for-comfort restroom adjacent to the waiting area. The thought of a healthcare professional emerging from such a space, only to engage closely with a patient, underscores a glaring oversight in hygiene and privacy standards.
The dialogue around these issues isn’t new. These seemingly minor details can profoundly affect the morale of your staff, the satisfaction of your patients, and ultimately, the financial valuation of your practice.
In echoing Tim’s sentiments, it’s clear: The gold standard for any healthcare practice, optometry included, must advocate for private bathroom and a dignified, clean space for staff. Let’s not overlook the basics, for in them lies the foundation of our practice’s value and integrity.
Link to Previous Jackie Joachim Articles,
Link to Tim’s original article.
JACKIE JOACHIM
Jackie Joachim graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Political Science and has close to 30 years of experience in the health care sector. She began her career in banking where she learned how to finance health care practices. With 10 years of experience in practice management, she developed and delivered seminars to healthcare professionals across the country, coached hundreds of practitioners for planning, marketing, patient education, human resources and financial management. She has been a keynote speaker at both national and provincial association conventions where she has had the privilege of speaking with thousands of health care professionals across Canada. You can reach at Jackie.joachim@roicorp.com or 1-844-764-2020.
