Is an Optometric Externship Program Right for Your Practice?

An externship program can be a valuable addition to any optometric office. It provides students with hands-on experience and can help bridge the gap between academic learning and practical application. However, as with any program, it also comes with its own set of pros and cons, which this article reviews.

PROS

Fresh Ideas and Perspectives

Offering this type of program provides an opportunity for students to bring fresh ideas and perspectives to your office. They may be familiar with the latest technologies and techniques and can give valuable insights into the latest trends in the field. Externs can also provide feedback on your practice, which can be valuable in identifying areas where you can improve.

Moreover, externs can bring new energy and enthusiasm to your practice, which can be infectious and help motivate other members of your team (Figures 1-3). These factors can contribute to a more dynamic and innovative practice, ultimately leading to improved patient care and better outcomes.

Cost Savings

Externs are typically unpaid or receive a low stipend, reducing the cost of staffing while improving efficiency and revenue by providing additional clinical support. Supporting an extern can also identify a potential future employee who is already familiar with your clinic’s operations and culture, which cuts down on the cost of the hiring process in the future.

That said, there are still costs associated with incorporating an optometric externship program into your office. These may include providing supervision and training, developing a structured program, and potentially dedicating time and resources away from patient care and other administrative duties. There may also be liability, insurance, or board requirements, which we will discuss more in the cons section. Although the costs of an externship program may be less than hiring a full-time employee, it is still important to consider and plan for these costs in advance.

Mentoring Opportunities

Offering an optometric externship program at your practice also affords an opportunity to mentor students and guide them in their learning process. As an optometrist, you have a wealth of knowledge and experience that you can share with externs, helping them to develop their clinical skills and gain a deeper understanding of the field. This can be a rewarding experience, as it provides a chance to give back to the next generation of practitioners and to positively influence the future of the profession.

Additionally, by serving as a mentor, you can help build relationships with future practitioners, which can benefit your practice in the long term. You may even collaborate with externs on research or other projects, which can further contribute to the advancement of the field.

Exposure to Potential Hires

Establishing an externship program can also connect you with potential hires. Externs may be looking for employment after completing their education, and serving as an externship site provides an opportunity for them to gain first-hand experience with your practice to see if it’s a good fit for them and for you. You will have the opportunity to observe externs over an extended period, which will help you determine if they would make a good fit for your practice long term. This can help streamline your hiring process, identify potential hires, and screen for qualities such as technical ability, communication skills, and cultural fit. Furthermore, by hiring someone who has completed their externship at your practice, you can be confident that they are already familiar with your practice, patients, and procedures.

Patient Perception

Having your own externship program can create a perception of high academic standards and excellent clinicians among patients. Patients are often impressed by the presence of externs in a practice, as it signals that the practice is committed to ongoing education and training given by knowledgeable and skilled practitioners. This perception can be particularly valuable for practices that are looking to differentiate themselves in a competitive marketplace, helping to attract new patients and retain patients. Additionally, the presence of externs can provide a valuable opportunity to educate patients about the optometric field and the importance of regular eye exams, which can ultimately lead to improved patient care and better outcomes.

CONS

Time and Resource Drain

Setting up an optometric externship program can be time- and resource-intensive due to requirements such as providing proper supervision and training, developing a structured program that aligns with the externs’ academic requirements and the goals of your practice, and providing feedback and guidance to externs throughout their externship program. This may require you to dedicate resources away from patient care and other administrative duties.

As the externship program is an additional responsibility on top of running a busy practice, it is important to consider the effect that it may have on your workload and to ensure that you have the time, resources, and support to manage the program effectively before implementing it.

Need for Structure

For the externship program to be effective, it is essential to have a well-defined structure that matches the school’s academic requirements, the extern’s aspirations, and the practice’s goals. This includes developing a curriculum that covers the key areas of practice that the externs will be exposed to, setting expectations for the externs, and providing them with feedback on their performance throughout the program. Without a structured program, the externship may not provide the intended benefits, and there may be a lack of clarity around the program goals. This can lead to a less-than-optimal experience for the externs and could even have a negative effect on the practice.

Developing a structured program can be time and resource-intensive, but it is essential to ensuring that the program is effective and achieves the desired outcomes. It is important to carefully evaluate the resources required to develop and implement a structured program and to ensure that the program is well-aligned with the goals of your practice before implementing an optometric externship program.

Liability and Insurance Issues

As an optometrist, you are responsible for the actions of your externs, and if one of them makes a mistake that results in injury to a patient, you may be held liable. This can be a significant risk, particularly if you have not adequately trained and supervised the externs. It is essential to ensure that the externs receive proper training and that they are closely supervised during their clinical activities.

It is also important to have appropriate insurance coverage in place to protect your practice in the event of an adverse incident. Liability and insurance issues can increase the costs associated with incorporating an externship program, and it is important to consider these costs when evaluating the feasibility of an externship program for your practice. Although the risk of liability can be mitigated through proper training and insurance, it is important to carefully evaluate the potential risks.

Lack of Continuity

Externs are typically present in your office for a limited time, usually a few months at most. As a result, it can be difficult to establish a long-term relationship with the externs, and it can be challenging to build a cohesive team. Additionally, the constant turnover of externs can disrupt the flow of your practice and may require you to spend additional time and resources orienting new externs. This can be particularly challenging if you have a busy practice, as it may be difficult to find the time to provide adequate training and supervision while also managing patient care and administrative duties.

To mitigate the effects of the lack of continuity, it is important to establish clear expectations for the externs, provide a well-structured program, and communicate regularly to ensure that externs are on track with their goals and responsibilities. Additionally, it may be helpful to consider establishing ongoing relationships with local optometry schools to provide a pipeline of externs to your practice, which can help to ensure a more consistent supply of well-trained externs. Although the lack of continuity can be a challenge, it can be mitigated through careful planning and a well-structured program.

Potential Effect on Optical Sales

Although externs are well-trained in clinical skills, they may not have the same training and experience in optical sales and marketing. This can be challenging if your practice relies heavily on optical revenue, as you may need to spend additional time and resources training externs on the finer points of optical sales and marketing.

To mitigate the effect on optical revenue, it is important to establish clear expectations for the externs and communicate regularly with your staff to ensure they can manage their responsibilities effectively. Providing training and guidance to externs in areas such as optical sales and marketing can also be a valuable learning opportunity for them and help them to develop a more well-rounded understanding of the profession. Although the lack of business training among externs can be a challenge, it can be mitigated through proper planning and support and can provide an opportunity for both the externs and your practice to learn and grow.

CONSIDER CAREFULLY

Incorporating an optometric externship program into your practice can provide several benefits, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. Developing a well-structured program that aligns with the goals of the program and the academic requirements of the students is essential to ensuring that the program is effective and beneficial for both the externs and your practice. With proper planning and support, an optometric externship program can be a valuable addition to your practice, providing a rewarding experience for both you and the externs.