Is there scope for expanding the optometrist's scope of practice in Singapore? - a survey of optometrists, opticians in Singapore
Purpose: In Singapore, optometrists’ roles are limited compared to their counterparts elsewhere. The purpose of the survey is to investigate optometrists’ current roles, views on extended roles, self-reported primary eye care knowledge, needs for continuing professional education (CPE) and views o...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2020
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/10356/144269 |
| _version_ | 1826116123087601664 |
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| author | George, Pradeep Paul Yun, Olivia Chng Shih Siow, Kalin Saxena, Nakul Heng, Bee Hoon Car, Josip Lockwood, Craig |
| author2 | Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine) |
| author_facet | Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine) George, Pradeep Paul Yun, Olivia Chng Shih Siow, Kalin Saxena, Nakul Heng, Bee Hoon Car, Josip Lockwood, Craig |
| author_sort | George, Pradeep Paul |
| collection | NTU |
| description | Purpose: In Singapore, optometrists’ roles are limited compared to their counterparts elsewhere. The purpose of
the survey is to investigate optometrists’ current roles, views on extended roles, self-reported primary eye care
knowledge, needs for continuing professional education (CPE) and views on suitable modes for CPE.
Methods: Members of the Optometrist and Optician Board (OOB) were invited via email to take part in an
anonymous online survey. The survey questions covered the following areas: current scope of practice, self-rated
primary eye care knowledge, confidence in screening, co-managing minor eye conditions, CPE and referral
behavior.
Results: A total of 230 optometrists completed the survey (response rate 30%). Their current roles were limited
to diagnostic refraction (92%), colour vision assessment (65%), contact lens fitting and dispensing (62%)
amongst others. The average self-rated score for primary eye care knowledge was 8.2 ± 1.4; score range 1-10 (1-
Very poor, 10-Excellent). Self-rated confidence scores for screening for cataract, diabetic retinopathy, chronic
glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration were 2.7 ± 1.5, 3.7 ± 1.9, 4.0 ± 1.9 and 3.8 ± 1.8, respectively. 71% of the optometrists felt that they should undertake regular CPE to improve their primary eye care
knowledge. Blended learning (eLearning and traditional face-to-face lectures) (46.1%) was the most preferred
mode for CPE delivery.
Conclusion: Optometrists in Singapore represent a skilled underutilized primary eye care provider. Though their
self-reported primary eye care knowledge is high, their confidence in screening and co-managing chronic eye
conditions is low. Enabling them for extended primary eye care role would require further training.
Significance: Singapore ageing population has led to greater eye care demands. Task-shifting from ophthalmologists to optometrists has been proposed in the literature to handle this growing care demands. At this
juncture, this study provides evidence based answers to issues revolving around optometrists’ readiness for a role
expansion in Singapore. |
| first_indexed | 2024-10-01T04:06:14Z |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | ntu-10356/144269 |
| institution | Nanyang Technological University |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-10-01T04:06:14Z |
| publishDate | 2020 |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | ntu-10356/1442692020-10-26T05:05:14Z Is there scope for expanding the optometrist's scope of practice in Singapore? - a survey of optometrists, opticians in Singapore George, Pradeep Paul Yun, Olivia Chng Shih Siow, Kalin Saxena, Nakul Heng, Bee Hoon Car, Josip Lockwood, Craig Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine) Centre for Population Health Sciences (CePHaS) Science::Medicine Extended Scope Practice Optometrists Purpose: In Singapore, optometrists’ roles are limited compared to their counterparts elsewhere. The purpose of the survey is to investigate optometrists’ current roles, views on extended roles, self-reported primary eye care knowledge, needs for continuing professional education (CPE) and views on suitable modes for CPE. Methods: Members of the Optometrist and Optician Board (OOB) were invited via email to take part in an anonymous online survey. The survey questions covered the following areas: current scope of practice, self-rated primary eye care knowledge, confidence in screening, co-managing minor eye conditions, CPE and referral behavior. Results: A total of 230 optometrists completed the survey (response rate 30%). Their current roles were limited to diagnostic refraction (92%), colour vision assessment (65%), contact lens fitting and dispensing (62%) amongst others. The average self-rated score for primary eye care knowledge was 8.2 ± 1.4; score range 1-10 (1- Very poor, 10-Excellent). Self-rated confidence scores for screening for cataract, diabetic retinopathy, chronic glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration were 2.7 ± 1.5, 3.7 ± 1.9, 4.0 ± 1.9 and 3.8 ± 1.8, respectively. 71% of the optometrists felt that they should undertake regular CPE to improve their primary eye care knowledge. Blended learning (eLearning and traditional face-to-face lectures) (46.1%) was the most preferred mode for CPE delivery. Conclusion: Optometrists in Singapore represent a skilled underutilized primary eye care provider. Though their self-reported primary eye care knowledge is high, their confidence in screening and co-managing chronic eye conditions is low. Enabling them for extended primary eye care role would require further training. Significance: Singapore ageing population has led to greater eye care demands. Task-shifting from ophthalmologists to optometrists has been proposed in the literature to handle this growing care demands. At this juncture, this study provides evidence based answers to issues revolving around optometrists’ readiness for a role expansion in Singapore. This research was a part of PPG’s doctoral work and he gratefully acknowledges the funding received towards his PhD from the National Healthcare Group, Singapore. 2020-10-26T05:05:14Z 2020-10-26T05:05:14Z 2019 Journal Article George, P. P., Yun, O. C. S., Siow, K., Saxena, N., Heng, B. H., Car, J., & Lockwood, C. (2019). Is there scope for expanding the optometrist’s scope of practice in Singapore? – a survey of optometrists, opticians in Singapore. Contact Lens and Anterior Eye, 42(3), 258-264. doi:10.1016/j.clae.2019.02.008 1367-0484 https://hdl.handle.net/10356/144269 10.1016/j.clae.2019.02.008 30819628 3 42 258 264 en Contact Lens and Anterior Eye © 2019 British Contact Lens Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved |
| spellingShingle | Science::Medicine Extended Scope Practice Optometrists George, Pradeep Paul Yun, Olivia Chng Shih Siow, Kalin Saxena, Nakul Heng, Bee Hoon Car, Josip Lockwood, Craig Is there scope for expanding the optometrist's scope of practice in Singapore? - a survey of optometrists, opticians in Singapore |
| title | Is there scope for expanding the optometrist's scope of practice in Singapore? - a survey of optometrists, opticians in Singapore |
| title_full | Is there scope for expanding the optometrist's scope of practice in Singapore? - a survey of optometrists, opticians in Singapore |
| title_fullStr | Is there scope for expanding the optometrist's scope of practice in Singapore? - a survey of optometrists, opticians in Singapore |
| title_full_unstemmed | Is there scope for expanding the optometrist's scope of practice in Singapore? - a survey of optometrists, opticians in Singapore |
| title_short | Is there scope for expanding the optometrist's scope of practice in Singapore? - a survey of optometrists, opticians in Singapore |
| title_sort | is there scope for expanding the optometrist s scope of practice in singapore a survey of optometrists opticians in singapore |
| topic | Science::Medicine Extended Scope Practice Optometrists |
| url | https://hdl.handle.net/10356/144269 |
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