AOP Practising Member Research Summary

Association of Optometrists

Practising Member Research Summary 2023

In 2022, the AOP commissioned research to inform its bold and aspirational five-year strategy.

Responses represent a spread of ages, genders, and modes of practice

The aim of the project, conducted by Research by Design, was to explore members' views, challenges and expectations for their careers and for the profession - now and in the future.

Contributions were invited from members in order to help the AOP understand the challenges and aspirations of members, and how it can provide the right support at the right time to its wide and diverse membership.

At the core of the strategy is its commitment to secure the present and shape the future of optometry for the benefit of its members and the people it serves.

As its members' lifetime career partner, it is vital that the AOP has a current understanding of what members need, so that it fulfils its mission to 'serve, protect and promote' them.

Research programme

Practising members and undergraduate student members were given the opportunity to contribute their views in separate surveys

Practising member survey (all member grades (except students) including pre-reg)

Student survey

Practising Member Summary

2,084 practising members participated in the survey.

*see page 18 for more details.

Responses represent a spread of ages, genders, and modes of practice

Responses represent a spread of ages, genders, and modes of practice resulting in a representative sample of the workforce and membership.

Top 4 AOP services chosen by practising members

1. AOP CPD and events

2. Medical malpractice insurance

3. Legal support

4. Optometry Today

Practising members believe… Legal defence, insurance, and advice including employment, clinical and regulatory …should be the number 1 future focus of the AOP

…resulting in a 18.1% response rate.

In our previous survey, the response rate was 15%.

Key performance indicators

AOP has a strong Net Promoter Score of +41*

Practising members see Balancing the clinical vs retail requirements of the job

…as the biggest day-today challenge faced in optometry

Key headlines

Overall results for the AOP are positive, with practising members citing the perception of being well supported as one of the key reasons for their positive feelings towards the organisation. Top of mind associations with the AOP are overwhelmingly positive.

AOP compares well versus RbD’s membership normative data, with its overall rating and NPS exceeding the norm.

The vast majority of practising members agree the AOP serves and protects them throughout their career, gives them peace of mind and resources they need, while also promoting the profession to the wider world.

Words chosen to describe the optometry profession are mixed, and members polarize as to whether they would choose optometry again if they were starting over. Half of practising members feel optimistic about their future career in optometry, but neutrality is high, with locums by far the least positive about their future.

Practising members are struggling with how to balance the clinical versus retail requirements of the job, how to create a suitable work/life balance and how to cope with stress effectively.

Practising members’ short term career goals centre on improvement, be it in their skill set, extra qualifications or their performance in their current role. Many are clear that additional support from the AOP to help enhance their skill set and to progress their qualifications would be welcomed.

The Working Environment

Words chosen to describe the optometry profession

“Other healthcare professionals (and the public) don’t always recognise what we can do. If someone has an eye problem, they will go to the pharmacy for advice, rather than the optometrist. They will think of it more like a retail place, rather than thinking ‘I’ve got an eye problem, I will go there’.”

Focus Group: JVP/IPO/franchisees

S40 Which, if any, of the following words would you use to describe the optometry profession? Base: All (2,261).

“Its rewarding. It’s what I have always wanted to do – I found the section of optometry that I am really comfortable with and that I really love.”

Focus Group: JVP/IPO/franchisees

Words chosen to describe the optometry profession are mixed, with the most frequently selected word being ‘undervalued’.

Those who would choose a career in optometry again most value…

Subject nature

"Optometry is a very interesting subject. I find myself going back to my university notes and rereading them. The theory is exciting.”

Academic / Lecturer / Educator / Research worker

Helping people

"I get to make a real difference to people. I help people see / from losing sight. Sight is the best thing that humans & living creatures have. It is what we see our loved ones with and appreciate the nature around us. I wouldn't give up this career for anything.”

Locum

Varied career options

“People are fascinating, and eyes are fascinating, so the fundamentals still appeal.”

National optical group practice employee

Work life balance

Locum

C66 Why do you say that? (Follows C65 ‘To what extent do you think you would choose optometry if you were to start out on your career again?’) Base: Those who would definitely choose optometry again at C65 and who entered a free text comment at C66 (375 comments).

“Optometry has so many avenues - you can do research, work in an independent or multiple, work at a private or NHS hospital, teach, invigilate exams, be an assessor, work for the GOC ...”

National optical group practice employee

“Great work life balance with young children.” National optical group practice employee

“Having the flexibility to work when I want and choose my days gives me control in my work which really helps.”

“I like seeing the smile on people's faces when they're able to see things they can't without specs. It means everything to me to see the patient happy with the service I provide.”

National optical group practice employee

Around 1 in 3 also struggle with stress, managing their workload and too much administration.

Biggest challenges faced in day-to-day role (top 5)

Balancing clinical vs retail requirements of the job

Balancing my working life with my personal / family life

Coping with stress effectively

51% 43% 35%

Effectively managing my workload

31%

The average number of challenges members select is 3.

Too much administration / paperwork

30%

Top 5 challenges from a list of 13

C70 What are the biggest challenges you face in your day-to-day role based on your individual working circumstances? Base: All (2,240)

The most common challenge for practising members is balancing clinical and retail pressures and a work-life balance.

skill set, extra qualifications or their performance in their current role.

Which of these statements best describe your goals?

Enhance my skill set

Make progress with qualifications (e.g. IP, MECS, etc.)

C80 Thinking about your work and career plans for the next two years, which of these statements best describe your goals?

Base: All (2,261).

Improve my performance in my current role

In the next two years, practising members’ career goals focus on improvement, be it in their

Strongly agree Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree Strongly disagree

C95. To what extent do you agree with the following statement? ‘I feel optimistic about my future career in optometry’ Base: Total (2,261).

Half of practising members feel optimistic about their future career in optometry, but neutrality is high and almost 1 in 5 disagree.

‘I feel optimistic about my future career in optometry'

Perceptions of AOP

Practising members’ associations with the AOP are

Largely they reflect a valued sense of security and of being supported

Peace of mind/ reassurance

Insurance/ legal cover

Protection

Support

P70 In one word, what does AOP membership mean to you?

Base: All who entered a free text comment (1649 comments).

Security/ safety

Guidance/ advice

overwhelmingly positive.

Almost 8 in 10 rate the AOP as a membership organisation positively, just 3% are negative.

The proportion of members rating AOP positively outperforms the RbD benchmark data (66%).

Overall rating of the AOP

P10 How do you rate the AOP as a membership organisation, using a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is very poor and 5 is excellent?

A strong sense of being well supported drives practising members’ positive views towards the AOP

The availability and high standard of CPD is another driving factor

“They helped me in one of my worst moments in life with a GOC case and I will always be thankful.”

Independent practice / group practice employer

Past experience

“I attend lots of CPD webinars too, which I always learn lots from.”

National optical group practice employee

“I wouldn't practice as an optometrist without AOP. I know they will have my back in the future if a patient complains about me.”

Hospital optometrist

Confidence for the future

“I have used them 5 times now during my career and they have been caring and professional, giving me all the advice that I need.”

Locum

“The CPD articles and events have always been good.”

Independent practice / group practice employee

“Although I have never yet needed to reach out, I feel comfortable knowing that the AOP is there to help me if needed.”

National optical group practice employee

P15 Why do you say that? All (896 comments).

“I love having the support and feeling like someone is on my side.”

Independent practice / group practice employee

“I know they will always be there if I need them.”

Locum

“The legal / insurance cover which gives me peace of mind.”

National optical group practice employee

40% of practising members gave AOP a rating of 10 out of 10, providing a strong NPS of +41, outperforming the RbD normative benchmark significantly.

What is the Net Promoter Score (NPS) score?

+2

RbD normative data

How likely are you to recommend membership of the AOP to colleagues and peers?

+41

+35

AOP Member Survey 2023

AOP Member Survey 2018

P20 How likely are you to recommend membership of the AOP to colleagues and peers, using a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 is not at all likely and 10 is extremely likely? 2018 (1568)

Base: All (2,261), RbD Normative Data (108,694).

AOP Benefits, Services, and Campaigns

Medical

practising members find the

benefits and services valuable. In particular AOP CPD and events and medical malpractice insurance.

% agree services are valuable

“The CPD and insurance are very worthwhile.”

Independent practice / group practice employee

“I really enjoy the Optometry Today magazine and find it very useful to read.”

AOP

Regulatory

The services members feel are valuable have remained broadly consistent since 2018 (different scale used).

B10 To what extent do you agree the following benefits and services offered by the AOP are valuable?

Base: All (2,261) Top 8 out of a list of 13 shown. Agree NET.

The vast majority of

following

Practising members are concerned about public understanding of optometry and the importance of eye health

Public perception of optometrists

“So many people just see optometrists as a glasses shop, so they only visit when their glasses need to be replaced.”

Hospital optometrist

Myopia management

“The public needs to be made more aware of the myopia epidemic, particularly among children.”

Locum

Better public perception of Optometrists, we’re not just there for sales of specs. We’re healthcare professionals that help maintain and manage ocular health.”

Locum

“Campaign for NHS to offer myopia management treatments.”

Academic / Lecturer

Buying glasses online

“AOP should lobby on removing the sale of glasses online or at least regulating their sale.”

Franchise practice owner

“Whilst I understand the cost of living affects many patients, a campaign about why practice dispensed medical devices are better could help a lot of struggling independents.”

Franchise practice owner

B40 Which other issues do you think the AOP should cover through its policy, campaigns, and guidance?

Practising members that use AOP comms channels attribute high value to each.

Value of each channel to connect with the AOP

AOP website

Optometry Today YouTube

Optometry Today print bi-monthly journal

AOP / Optometry Today email

AOP Councillors

AOP / Optometry Today Facebook

AOP / Optometry Today Instagram

AOP LinkedIn

AOP / Optometry Today Twitter

Optometry Today Jobs

AOP Community Forum

Optometry Today CPD LinkedIn

Proportion rating as very or somewhat valuable

CM10

How valuable, if at all, do you find the following channels to connect with the AOP? Base: All those who use each channel (variable).

Future of the AOP

Main challenges for the optometry profession in the future [Top 5]

F20 What do you see will be the main challenges for the optometry profession in the future? Base: All (2,129).

GOS sight test fees are the predominant professional issue across the membership.

main short term workforce challenges.

In the short term, what main challenges do you see for the optometry workforce?

Salaries for optometrists

Cost of doing business on the high street

Degree apprenticeships

Spending power of patients

Oversupply of optometrists

Ageing population

Consolidation of independent practices and market conditions

Impact of Education Training Requirements

Other

I'm not sure

F21. In the short term, what main challenges do you see for the optometry workforce? Base: All (2,098)

Practising members see stagnating salaries, viability of high street practices, and degree apprenticeships as the

What services will optometry need to offer in the community in the future?

Practising members believe optometry will need to expand its provision for the community in the future, predominantly in the ongoing management / monitoring of myopia, glaucoma, macular degeneration and medical retina.

End of Summary

For more information about the results of the research, contact the AOP team, johnwhite@aop.org.uk