5 Misconceptions About a Nutrition Specialty in Primary Eye Care
So providers: let’s say you are either personally or professionally interested in nutrition and how it affects eye health, you've gone to some CE lectures and you're like "WOW". "I love this." But you're wondering how to in practical terms create a practice niche (perhaps without spending serious time doing a training program?).
Or maybe you want to dip in while you decide if a CNS, CPNP, or other nutrition training is in the cards.
No doubt you have concerns, and we'd like to go through how the right solutions can solve them.
#1: It's a Time Sink
You’re no doubt worried about going down the “rabbit hole” in a consultation when a patient has a ton of questions. While it's true that incorporating nutrition into your practice can seem like it’s time-consuming, it doesn't HAVE to be. Because you have our pre-designed nutrition programs (they are online, customizable and includes support, which means it takes the pesky follow-through "off-site") and educational resources, it’s easy to prescribe it and hand-off to a staff member to go over the details and do onboarding.
Plus, our training programs even give you easy scripts you can use for inspiration, further freeing you to seamlessly integrate nutrition into your appointments and minimize excessive chair time.
#2: It's Not Profitable
Nutrition services can indeed be profitable, we have made it our mission to change this misconception. Patients value (and in many cases require) integrative care that addresses both their eye health and overall well-being. By offering them a path for nutrition guidance, you not only provide comprehensive care but also create opportunities for additional services and patient loyalty.
For example, you want a solution where your profit is positive (won't be in the red), no matter if one or 100 patients sign up, and we have multiple price levels so you can customize the solution to your patient's budgets and individual needs.
Or level up and take advantage of the best long-term ROI when you join the 6-month practice accelerator and we help you build your own custom-branded nutrition programs (yes, we can do it and its awesome). Then you own your product moving forward, and strengthen your clinic brand.
#3: Lack of Background Knowledge is a Barrier
You don't need to be a nutrition expert to start building a valuable niche in nutrition, in part because you have us on your team when you partner with us. We filled the immense need for nutrition courses and resources designed specifically for eye care professionals. These programs provide the knowledge and confidence you need to initiate discussions about nutrition with patients.
#4: Patient Overwhelm and Non-Compliance
It's true that any human in our modern world can feel overwhelmed with dietary changes. To combat this, we provide the follow-through for step-by-step nutrition plans that break down recommendations into manageable goals. We provide easy-to-understand handouts and support materials, including recipes and trackers. This approach promotes patient compliance and makes the process less intimidating for them, improving the overall experience.
#5: It's About Restriction, Not Enjoyment
Nutrition isn't just about restrictions; it's about enjoying a healthier lifestyle. Emphasize positive dietary changes and the benefits they bring, such as improved eye health, increased energy, and overall well-being. Encourage patients to explore new foods and recipes that align with their nutritional goals.
So what I'm trying to say is that giving nutrition guidance can be uplifting, not a drag.
Conclusion:
So what do you think, nutrition specialty... hot or not? Let us know! Dr. Mila Ioussifova and myself (Dr. Celia Futch) are available to chat more about a path that overcomes the challenges discussed above, or other concerns you have.
