Building Strong GP – OD Relationships Through SharedCare

How collaborative care helps grow your optometry practice and deliver better patient outcomes

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Dr. Jeff Goodhew, a respected optometrist and early adopter of teleophthalmology, knows firsthand how powerful strong referral relationships can be for growing a practice. Based in Ontario, Dr. Goodhew has built a trusted reputation not only with his patients but also with the family physicians in his community.

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One of the ways he’s been able to strengthen these partnerships is by leveraging Care1, a platform that enables SharedCare between optometrists and ophthalmologists—creating a seamless experience for both providers and patients.

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Why GP Relationships Matter

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“Forming good relationships with family physicians is extremely important in building your clinic,” says Dr. Goodhew. Across Canada, nearly every optometry clinic is surrounded by multiple family practices. These primary care providers are often the first point of contact for patients with vision concerns.

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By taking the time to introduce yourself to local GPs and explain your scope of practice, you open the door to SharedCare. When family physicians understand how optometry fits into their patients’ care pathways, they gain a trusted partner—not just another referral option.

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How Care1 Strengthens GP Referrals Through SharedCare

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Dr. Goodhew emphasizes the value of having Care1 “in your back pocket” during these conversations.

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When a GP knows that referring to an optometrist also means their patient will have access to an ophthalmology consultation through Care1, it builds immediate trust and clarity in the care pathway.

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“The fact that they can send a patient to you and they know that they're going to get an ophthalmology consultation at the same time is very reassuring for the family doctor,” Dr. Goodhew explains.

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This is the essence of SharedCare—the optometrist remains the primary provider, but ophthalmology is layered in as needed. It’s a collaborative model that allows GPs to confidently refer to optometry, knowing their patients are fully supported.

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Watch Dr. Jeff Goodhew share how Care1 helps strengthen GP relationships and streamline SharedCare in his practice.

Creating a Seamless Shared Care Pathway

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Over time, as GPs repeatedly refer to your clinic and experience how smoothly Care1 integrates with your care model, they develop a pattern of trust.

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They know:

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• Patients will receive a specialist consult within 2 weeks.
• Care plans are communicated clearly and consistently
• Shared Care between OD and ophthalmology ensures no patient falls through the cracks
• Next steps—whether continued management in your clinic or an in-person ophthalmology referral—are coordinated and transparent.

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“GPs typically like to refer to their medical colleagues,” says Dr. Goodhew. “And Care1 allows us to have this extra advantage. We can say, ‘Hey, refer to optometry. You're going to get the same care that you normally are used to.’”

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This Shared Care approach bridges the gap between primary care and specialty eye care, giving GPs confidence in the quality and continuity of care.

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Why Shared Care Matters for Optometrists

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Strong GP relationships powered by Shared Care can:

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• Increase referral volume and retention
• Build your reputation as a trusted clinical partner
• Improve patient access to timely eye care
• Differentiate your clinic from others in the community
• Strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration and trust

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With Care1, optometrists can offer the same level of reassurance and follow-up that GPs expect from medical referrals—while maintaining control over patient management.

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When GPs trust that their patients will receive complete, coordinated care through Shared Care, they’ll continue to refer to your clinic with confidence. Leveraging Care1 can help you build those relationships faster—and improve patient retention. 

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About Dr. Jeff Goodhew

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Dr. Jeff Goodhew is a practicing optometrist and long-time Care1 user. Known for his leadership in primary eye care and technology adoption, he has been a vocal advocate for stronger collaboration between optometrists, family physicians, and ophthalmologists. His approach to patient care emphasizes accessibility, Shared Care, and clear communication across the care team.