The Vision Council has shared the results of its recent Market Insights survey on the business impact of face mask policies:

Most ECPs (~97%) reported that mask use is required for both employees and patients, with the majority of these policies being mandated by state or local governments. Approximately 3% of ECPs indicated that they are not requiring employees or patients to wear masks.

Source: The Vision Council COVID-19 US ECP Panel Study, 8/10–8/15/2020, n = 154

According to the survey, 1 in 5 ECPs believe they have lost sales due to patient mask requirements at their locations. 

Source: The Vision Council COVID-19 US ECP Panel Study, 8/10–8/15/2020, n = 148

It is evident that face masks have created some “churn” among optometry patients and eyewear retail customers. Approximately 70% of ECPs reported having a formal policy for handling patients that do not wear face masks. Nearly one-third of ECPs (32%) indicated that they have experienced patients leaving their practices due to not wanting to wear a face mask. Another 20% of ECPs have had to remove patients from their practices due to face mask policy noncompliance.

Source: The Vision Council COVID-19 US ECP Panel Study, 8/10–8/15/2020, n = 148

For information on training your employees for today's new challenges to manage difficult patients, stay tuned for the Staff Training column in the September issue of EB.