EyeWorld is the official news magazine of the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery.
Issue link: https://digital.eyeworld.org/i/87458
continued from page 7 use smartphones more frequently. There's no doubt that having an app improves communication between patients and doctors. The Doctor App works well with my Facebook page, as one type of media supports the other. As com- pared to other forms of marketing, the price of an app for the physician is reasonable and creates a signifi- cant "wow" among younger patients. The app is free to the patient on the iPhone and Android devices. You can view my app at www.cloud- ninedevelopment.com under the title "Robert Melendez, MD." If you're looking for a competi- tive edge against other practices, a practice app sets you apart. OB Dr. Melendez is a cataract and refractive surgeon and partner with Eye Associates of New Mexico, and clinical assistant professor, Department of Surgery/Division of Ophthalmology, University of New Mexico. He can be contacted at rfmelendez@gmail.com. Give your app this quiz If you're considering acquiring a practice app, ask these questions of each app product you're evaluating: 1. How long has this app been in use? 2. How does the total cost (upfront cost and monthly charge) compare to similar apps and to other practice marketing tools? 3. Is this app branded to your practice on patients' devices? 4. Does this app enable you to reach out to patients? 5. Does this app allow you to upload photos and graphics? 6. Is this app easy to set up? (Ask for physician users to contact.) 7. Is this app easy for patients to use? (Ask for demo and ask physician users.) 8. Does the cost include upgrades? 9. If you have a problem, is there live help, and who gives it? (Tech support should come from a high level.) Gone mobile Statistics show consumers love their mobile devices: • It takes 90 minutes for the average person to respond to an email. It takes 90 seconds for the average person to respond to a text mes- sage. • 70% of all mobile searches result in action within 1 hour. • Mobile coupons get 10 times the redemption rate of traditional coupons. • There are more mobile phones on the planet than there are TVs. • 91% of all U.S. citizens have their mobile device within reach 24/7. • It takes 26 hours for the average person to report a lost wallet. It takes 68 minutes for them to report a lost phone. • There are 6.8 billion people on the planet. 5.1 billion of them own a cell phone, but only 4.2 billion own a toothbrush. • In some countries, there are more mobile subscriptions than there are people. (How can this be? It's because some people own more than one mobile phone.) Source: Mobile Marketing Association 8 Ophthalmology Business • October 2012