Eyeworld

OCT 2012

EyeWorld is the official news magazine of the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery.

Issue link: https://digital.eyeworld.org/i/87458

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Doctors: Why you need your by Robert F. Melendez, M.D. I often get the best insights about technology from my children. It's no surprise that my "aha moment" about having a practice app came from my high school-age son and daughter. They have a friend whose father is also a physician. My children told him, "Our dad has his own app." The other student was incredulous, then extremely impressed. My children were quite impressed that he was impressed. This is just about the textbook definition of the "wow factor." I know that my reputation isn't staked on gadgets, gizmos, or being cool. But when it comes to differen- tiating your practice in the minds of patients and patient prospects, a little "wow" goes a long way. Besides, a smartphone or tablet isn't exactly a gadget or gizmo. They are the heartbeat of mobile com- merce, and the astounding growth of this market segment indicates how much consumers are using their mobile devices to make decisions, purchase services, and conduct their personal business. In 2011, Ingenex Digital Marketing reported that mobile commerce increased by 91% over 2010 usage. Mobile Commerce Daily predicts mobile commerce will increase another 71% to reach $11.6 billion in sales. About a year ago, I downloaded the Eye Handbook App (Cloud Nine Development) and learned firsthand that a smartphone equipped with the right app can be an invaluable practice tool. Created by three ophthalmolo- gists, the Eye Handbook App provides immediate access to an atlas 6 Ophthalmology Business • October 2012

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