1:30min
Optometry Australia has recently commissioned a new study, “Capturing and analysing the working conditions of employee optometrists in Australia”. The study will be undertaken by researchers from Flinders University, University of New South Wales and optometrists in private practice, and it aims to explore job satisfaction, and workplace demands and resources within the industry.
We invite all employed optometrists to contribute their valuable insights through taking an anonymous online survey or by participating in focus groups.
This initiative responds to concerns raised by members regarding employment conditions and HR issues and aims to address key challenges such as job satisfaction, workload and career development.
The findings from this study will provide researchers, Optometry Australia and other key stakeholders with essential data to advocate for meaningful improvements within the profession. The study complements an ongoing workforce supply and demand projection project, due for completion in March 2025, addressing the future balance of the optometry workforce in Australia.
How you can get involved
1. Anonymous online survey
Share your experience by completing a confidential online survey that will take approximately 10 minutes. The survey will provide important data on your working conditions, work-life balance and job demands and resources. The survey is now open and will run until Monday, 20 January 2025.
2. Focus groups
Optometrists are also invited to participate in online focus group discussions, offering a deeper exploration of the challenges and resources available in their work environment. These one-hour sessions will be conducted at a time that suits your schedule, and attendees can be anonymous with cameras off and de-identified names. Focus groups will take place in early 2025 and Optometry Australia will send out further information about these in the new year.
Why participate?
Participation is voluntary. By participating, you will help shape future advocacy efforts for better working conditions in the field of optometry. Your input will support researchers and other key stakeholders including Optometry Australia to influence policies to achieve a sustainable and well-distributed workforce, ensuring better care for the community and a more fulfilling work environment for optometrists. Help us drive positive change in the optometry profession by sharing your experiences. We look forward to your valuable contribution.
The researchers are committed to your anonymity
Participants will remain anonymous. While personal information in the form of opinions about the participants’ job and workplace experiences will be collected through survey responses and focus group discussions, the project is being run in a manner that protects the identity of individual participants (for example, anonymous survey responses and no cameras during online focus groups).
Need more information?
Online survey information:
Follow this link to complete the survey: https://qualtrics.flinders.edu.au/jfe/form/SV_cIv2GjAYbeiYjZA
This research has been approved by the Flinders University Human Research Ethics Committee (Project ID: 7859). For further details, please contact the research team.