The workshop on Practice Management was organized at Elite School of Optometry on October 28th 2014 for the BS Optometry Final Year Students as a unique first time event. Mr Sanjay H Mehta (Batch 2), Mr Prithie Singh Rekhi (Batch 2), Mr Arumugham (Batch 6) and Mr Kalikivayi Venkatramana (Batch 5), highly enthusiastic and renowned Independent eye care practitioners, and alumni members of ESO, were kind enough to be part of this workshop.
The important facets of an independent practice were the objective of the workshop. The workshop was planned at addressing the outgoing students to know the world of independent practice.
Mr Sanjay Mehta started his presentation on ‘Why independent practice?’ and the ‘Importance of optometrist to the community’. Followed by him Mr Prithie Singh Rekhi continued to explain on ‘How to start the practice and ways to build their practice set up’. He gave inputs on setting up clinic from location until funds. Mr Arumugham enlightened on the ways to expand the practice. During the panel discussion, the queries of students were answered. Questions on how to identify the practice location, how to set goals for practice, when to achieve breakeven, legal aspects, how to hold patients, how to maintain records, how to start group practice, risks involved in group practice etc. were discussed during the panel.
Students provided good feedback about the session. They also mentioned that these kind of sessions at the end of third year or mid of internship would motivate them to get themselves trained towards their goal. Most of the students gained clear picture of yet another option for their career at the end of the workshop.