Preliminary results from the Optometry Australia (OA)-commissioned workforce study reveal significant moral distress among optometrists at work, with factors such as KPI focus causing role conflicts.
The results suggest a need to redesign the optometry workplace, wrote authors led by Professor Nicola Anstice, Flinders University.
“Our findings suggest that optometrists continue to strive to provide the best possible patient care despite facing challenging situations and with limited professional autonomy. For many respondents, job demands far exceed job resources and urgent action needs to be taken to redesign workplaces,” they concluded.
A snapshot of the findings showed 77% of survey participants were dissatisfied with their career options and growth opportunities; 75% were dissatisfied with their income; and 34% felt professionally isolated.
OA said the initial findings confirm many anecdotal reports from members regarding workplace standards and systems. “Optometry Australia has shared the survey results and updated position statement with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and several of the nation’s largest optometry employers. We are calling on these stakeholders to collaborate with us in driving much-needed reform.”
