Myths, googling a condition and religious beliefs can all affect patient decision-making in the consultation room – and may leave some optometrists feeling perplexed. How can we help support patients to make the best decisions? 

As with any journey, it’s always useful to know the destination, which is why health psychologist Dr Fiona Fylan highlighted the six elements that help provide a good patient experience (see The CURRVI approach, below). She found that although patients are confident in the expertise of their eye care professional, they can sometimes feel apprehensive, rushed and confused, or that they haven’t had good value for money.