The Independent Advantage S02 E06: Taking the strain of undesirable tasks off staff with AI

In the closing The Independent Advantage episode featuring Maria Sampalis, OD, the conversation focused on practical, first-step advice for optometrists who had never implemented AI in their practices and were unsure where to begin. Sampalis emphasized that the most important starting point was simply being open to new technology and choosing one easy, low-risk task for AI to handle—specifically, patient recall calls. She noted that no one on the team truly enjoyed going down a list to remind patients they were due for appointments, making this a natural, non-threatening entry point for automation.

Sampalis explained that once AI took over routine administrative duties such as recalls, it freed staff to focus on higher-value activities like selling glasses, managing IPL services, and performing other practice-building tasks. This shift could justify raises, improve job satisfaction, and make day-to-day operations more efficient. She also stressed that, when communicated properly, staff should understand that AI was not there to cut their hours or replace them, but to remove the tasks that “nobody wants to do” and allow them to contribute at a higher level.

Sampalis framed AI as an opportunity rather than a threat to optometry. She pointed out that AI could support doctors facing workforce shortages, especially in rural areas, by helping them see more patients, diagnose more efficiently, and double-check for missed findings. From a financial standpoint, she noted that although implementing AI added some costs, her net revenue remained higher because of increased capacity and efficiency.

Staffing challenges and turnover were another major theme. Sampalis described how AI tools could help buffer the impact of frequent staff changes by standardizing certain workflows and reducing dependence on any single employee. Training staff to accept a busier, more multitasking-oriented environment from the outset helped align expectations and avoid the sense that they were suddenly overworked when staffing fluctuated.

The episode closed with host Diana Canto-Sims, OD, thanking Sampalis for sharing her experience and insights. They reiterated that these were exciting times for independent optometry, and encouraged colleagues to thoughtfully embrace AI to improve patient communication, workflow automation, and operational efficiency. Canto-Sims invited viewers and listeners to continue with the series, which will release every Wednesday, to explore additional practical applications of AI in independent practice.