Talking to a “Big Box” Optometrist

There are many O.D.’s working in Big Box stores and since FirstSight is one our sponsors I thought I would take the opportunity to talk to an independent optometrist who contracts with FirstSight and get some scoop! I interviewed Robert D. Gentile, O.D. who has his practice in the San Marcos, CA Walmart location. He has been the “Big Box” optometrist in this location since they opened in 2004.

Dr. Gentile is a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the Medical Service Corps of the U.S. Army. I have his curriculum vita in front of me; it is very impressive which I did not really know until reading it after I returned from the interview. I didn’t need the CV to be impressed though as I could tell from talking to Dr. Gentile that he is a dedicated and knowledgeable optometrist with some unique experience and I feel pretty privileged to have spent time talking to him. I especially liked hearing about his experience of being in Berlin when the Wall came down.

Here are some of the questions and answers from our discussion;
1. What attracted you to FirstSight?

Having spent my early years in the military and middle years in nutrition counseling and sales, FirstSight Vision Services allowed me to start earning an income immediately, without having to build a practice from scratch. At this point in my life, the investment in time and money to start my own practice would have required a longer time horizon than I wanted to work. I did not have much business experience, but I had a lot of patient care and counseling experience, some unique and more broad than most O.D.s. These experiences were a good fit for FirstSight. So with lots of walk-in patients, I could start earning an income while I slowly built a solid referral patient base.

2. What are you provided with as a tenant of Walmart’s?

I am provided with all the latest, basic equipment I need for screening, contact lens, exam, reception, and patient waiting rooms. Everything else is up to me. I hire my own staff, buy my own supplies, and decorate my office to suit my needs.

3. What are the positives of being a FirstSight doctor provider?

I like the independence of being self-employed. I select office hours to accommodate the needs of my patients. I find that working evenings and weekends allows my patients to attend to their eye care and vision needs, while still being able to work a full day. As I don’t have to attend to a lot on the business side, I can devote most of my time examining,counseling, and educating patients.

4. What are the challenges?

Working inside a Wal-Mart makes one feel a bit “generic” at times. I have no control of what goes on outside my office, such an ice machine and a drink machine on either side of my office door. Another challenge might be labeled “impulse eye care”, in parallel with “impulse buying”. Many of my patients come to Wal-Mart on a shopping trip and only think of getting eyecare that day because they see the optical display or optometry sign. If there is little time available to squeeze these walk-ins into the schedule, they may be disinclined to make an appointment or, if they do book one, not keep it. On the other hand, many of these people would not receive eyecare without this kind of affordable, walk-in availability.
5. What do you do personally as far as making sure your patients’ vision care is a positive experience for them?

I enjoy educating my patients and making their eye exam and vision care a fun experience. Having dealt with many “vision emergencies” in my previous career in the military in such places as Berlin, Germany and Seoul, Korea, I am comfortable treating patients with anterior segment disease and injuries. I spend a good portion of my exam making sure my patients understand their health and visual problems, as well as their treatment modality. I also spend time counseling patients about nutrition and overall health. This pays off when patients routinely return and refer others, many of whom have never before considered coming to an optometrist, located in a Wal-Mart, for an eye exam.

6. What advice might you give to current or future O.D.s about working as a “Big Box” optometrist?

I feel this type of working environment provides great experience and an opportunity for instant income for someone newly out of optometry school, transferring from one job or state to another, wanting to work part-time, or wanting more control of the number of hours they work.
If you show proper respect and provide quality personal care, your patients will feel confident in your diagnosis and treatment plan. This increases the probability of the patient’s compliance with your suggestions, whether the exam fee is higher or lower or the venue “big box” or private office.

Theopticalvisionsite.com Blog readers I would be interested to receive your comments and questions about this interview – “Talking to a Big Box Optometrist”. What else would you like to know? Who else should we interview?

Previous Optical Vision Site Optometrist interviews: Eric M. White, OD, Joseph C. Mallinger, OD Vision West

Similar Posts:

• See Inside the Box! The OD Next to Walmart Talks to OVS
• Interview with Anh Nguyen, O.D. – FirstSight Vision Services, Inc.
• Moody Eyes Musings – Independent Optometrist
• Practice What We Optically Preach
• Recession Jargon – Optical or Not