
A national consumer campaign to promote eye health is attracting strong media attention, and is expected to drive enquiries to, and appointment bookings with, participating optometrists.
The early intervention campaign was launched in the first week of March by 1st Group (which owns MyHealth1st) together with initial launch partners and leaders in eye health (Glaucoma Australia and Tonic Health Media, a company owned by respected health journalist Dr Norman Swan).
the multi-pronged early intervention campaign for eye health… will drive consumers to participating optometrists
It directs consumers to a dedicated eye health website – eyehealth1st.com.au – where they can find information about eye health and eye disease and book an online appointment with their nearest participating independent optometrist who has signed up to MyHealth1st.
The campaign has already made the headlines on radio, as well as in consumer, investor and trade print. Additionally, Klaus Bartosch, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of 1st Group, and some participating optometrists have been lined up for several radio and TV interviews across the country in coming weeks.
Mr Bartosch has had plenty of experience with online booking platforms – 1stGroup has developed online booking platforms for physiotherapy, GP, optometry and veterinary services.
He says the multi-pronged early intervention campaign for eye health, which communicates with the public when they are most likely to be thinking about their own health, will drive consumers to participating optometrists.
“MyHealth1st’s online search and appointment booking service is now offered across multiple sectors of health care and one of the things we’ve learnt is that the best time to engage with people about their health is the period between booking an appointment with any healthcare provider and up to 24 hours after their appointment. On average, this is a four to six day window when people are most receptive to engaging with any preventative care message,” said Mr Bartosch.
“Most people book an appointment with an optometrist because their vision has changed and few understand the important role optometrists play in assessing eye health – our aim is to change that perception, to use that window to inform them that optometrists offer much more and that a regular comprehensive examination is key to preventing blindness in those 50 years and older.”
“We want consumers to start thinking about preventative eye health, just as they think about oral health. We want young people to grow up knowing this, and we want them to remind older generations, who may not be attuned to the risks of eye disease, to have an eye examination before their vision is affected by disease.”
Click here to find out more about eyehealth1st.