Survey of the optometric workforce 2018
IES has conducted an online survey of optometrists in the UK on behalf of the Association of Optometrists. Students, pre-registration and fully-qualified optometrists are included, the latter category incorporating employed optometrists, franchisees and independent business owners. A particular focus is the future career plans of optometrists, and the extent to which they are prepared to move around the UK to achieve their aims. The survey is now closed and the data are being analysed; in addition, follow-up interviews will soon take place with around 20 participants, to add some illustrative detail to the survey findings.
This survey complements other surveys of professions conducted by IES on behalf of professional or membership bodies in recent years, other examples being barristers, veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses.