FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J.—The questions an independent optometrist should consider in hiring a practice consultant is the topic of the Wed. Nov. 13 edition of “The Power Hour,” the weekly online radio talk show hosted by Gary Gerber, OD, founder of The Power Practice.

Said Gerber, who will field answers from callers himself, “With the bombardment of recent changes that are being thrust upon private practice ODs, many are looking for answers outside their practices about how to cope and make the right decisions. Which vision care plans, if any, are best for your practice, HIPAA and EMR compliance, ongoing staffing issues and staying on top of your marketing game are all areas that quality consultants can help you with. But how should you choose the consultant that’s best for your practice? If you’ve ever thought about working with a consultant, make sure to listen to this episode.”

Gerber added, “Learning how to assess what a consultant can really bring to your practice, pitfalls to watch for and a systematic method about how to make this decision will all be discussed on the next show. Different fee models used by various consultants as well as other tips to ensure your consulting arrangement succeeds will also be covered.

“The Power Hour” radio shows are sponsored by Essilor of America, VSP Global, Optovue and Think About Your Eyes. The show, which can be heard online or by phone every Wednesday night at 9:00 p.m. E.T., is a live discussion vehicle for current practice-building events in optometry, political viewpoints and clinical topics.

Listeners can dial in to “The Power Hour” from any phone at (646) 716-8746 or can listen in from any computer or smart phone. The Power Hour sessions, which launched in 2012, are archived on The Power Practice site. Users can also click to listen to past shows or download segments on iTunes.