Virtual Field's Impact on Efficiency and Patient Satisfaction

Introduction

Dr. Jonathan Kahn specializes in cornea, cataract, & refractive. During a recent interview we delved into his discovery of Virtual Field, the way he implemented it into his practice and the benefits he’s seen since. Exams used: 24-2 BOLT, 10-2 BOLT.

Case study

Identifying Pain Points and Setting the Stage for Transformation:

In 2018, while attending the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) conference in Chicago, I found myself five years into my practice journey. Collaborating closely with my partner, we embarked on a thoughtful exploration of the various pain points within our clinical practice.

Our primary mission was to address the inefficiencies that hindered the overall patient experience, as well as the smooth flow of patients through our practice. We sought ways to streamline the cumbersome testing processes and enhance overall efficiency. Our goal was to make the patient experience more interactive and engaging while also making data more accessible and user-friendly.

At that time, our practice was transitioning towards a greater focus on cataract surgery, with comprehensive ophthalmology accounting for about a third of our services, including the management of conditions like glaucoma. My partner, in particular, concentrated on glaucoma care, utilizing advanced techniques such as the 24-2 testing protocol. 

Virtual Field's Impact on Patient Satisfaction and Accessibility:

Virtual Field improved the overall efficiency of our practice but also led to a noticeable reduction in patient complaints and dissatisfaction.

Some patients who temporarily disappeared during the pandemic have since returned to our practice. When we inform them that they need to undergo a visual field test, they sometimes express frustration. However, their perspective shifts dramatically when we explain that it's a virtual field test, eliminating the need for patches, a bowl, or a hot room. 

They often exclaim, "Wow, this is like night and day – so much better and easier!" On the other hand, those who are experiencing their first visual field test without any prior exposure still express some complaints, although it's significantly improved from what it used to be.
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The portability of the test has made a huge difference in patient satisfaction. We can now administer the test in any available exam room; it doesn't have to be a specific room or suite.

During the height of the COVID pandemic, we even explored the option of conducting the test in the waiting room, thanks to the flexibility provided by the test's reliance on WiFi connectivity.

Optimizing Workflow and Reducing Appointment Wait Times:

We've achieved significant improvements in efficiency, resulting in reduced appointment times for our patients. Previously, if a patient had a 9:30 appointment, they would often end up waiting for the previous person to finish (about 15 minutes), causing a backlog in our schedule.

Now, we've streamlined the process. We can promptly seat patients and set them up for the test, which typically takes only about 10 minutes. This has allowed us to revamp our workflow, ensuring smoother scheduling and minimizing delays.

Enhanced User Experience and Data Interpretation:

As a customer who's been utilizing Virtual Field for the past five years, I've had the opportunity to witness a multitude of improvements, all of which have been highly positive. These changes have significantly enhanced my experience. The way a physician can now interpret the data is notably more efficient, resulting in a smoother and more enjoyable patient journey. Furthermore, I've observed considerable advancements in the quality of the software.

We genuinely appreciate the reports provided by Virtual Field. Over the years, I've noticed that the format has become quite similar to what I am used to which makes it much easier for us to compare results and data. It's particularly beneficial for clinicians who may be transitioning from other systems to adopt Virtual Field.

One feature that stands out and greatly contributes to our satisfaction is the color-coding of results. It's really helpful that positives are highlighted in green and negatives in red. This simple yet effective visual cue makes it much easier to interpret and assess our test outcomes, improving our overall experience with the system.