Members – help us improve infection control education and practise by completing a survey

Image by Gabby K from Pexels

By Helen Carter

Journalist

Optometry Australia is calling on its members to determine the impact of COVID-19 on infection control practises in optometry by completing a short anonymous survey which closes in two weeks.

Results may be used to explore where improvements could be made in infection control education and practise across the optometry profession, which would also benefit the broader community.

Now, more-than-ever, infection control is at the forefront of practitioner’s minds, so this research affords a unique opportunity to investigate optometrists’ infection control knowledge, attitudes and behaviours as well as barriers to implementing the best infection control.

The project aims to discover what educational resources are being utilised by optometrists to guide their infection control and it could provide members with an opportunity to reflect on their current infection control knowledge, attitude and behaviours.

The joint Optometry Australia-Deakin University survey asks for your feedback on infection control practises within optometry.

Principal researcher is Optometry Australia’s Policy and Standards Advisor and Deakin University educator Kerryn Hart and associate researchers are Dr Alexandra Jaworski from Deakin University, Professor Fiona Stapleton and Dr Nicole Carnt from the University of New South Wales and private practitioner Ka-Yee Lian.

Any information collected and stored will remain confidential and will only be accessible by the researchers. Data will be stored digitally on password-protected files and no identifying information will be used in any publication, presentation or report arising from the research.

Participation is voluntary but the more input we have, the greater the insights will be.

If you complete the survey, you could win one of four $200 virtual pre-paid Mastercards by answering in 25 words or less: “What has changed in your infection control practises since COVID-19?”

You will also be asked if you would like to participate in a follow-up study later in 2021 and if you elect to do this, you could win one of 20 $50 e-gift cards and may be eligible for CPD hours.
Read the Competition terms and conditions

This study has received Deakin University ethics approval (HEAG-H 238_2020.) For more information read the Plain Language Statement and Consent Form

Take the survey