Sistema de competencias laborales para tecnólogos de la salud licenciados en Optometría y Óptica / Job competency system for health technologists licensed in Optometry and Optics

Fundamento: la calidad de un servicio de salud parte del nivel de la competencia y desempeño de sus trabajadores en el cumplimiento de sus funciones laborales y sociales. Objetivo: elaborar un sistema de competencias laborales para tecnólogos de la salud licenciados en Optometría y Óptica. Métodos: se realizó una investigación de desarrollo tecnológico en el campo de la educación médica, durante enero 2021- enero 2022 en instituciones del nivel secundario del municipio Holguín. Se utilizaron métodos teóricos, empíricos y estadísticos que permitieron la triangulación metodológica de los resultados. Se tuvo en cuenta el criterio de especialistas para la valoración del sistema de competencias elaborado. Resultados: se identificaron insuficiencias para ejecutar procederes óptico-optométricos, limitada participación en actividades científico investigativas, baja categorización docente e investigativa, debilidades en la función profesor-tutor y escasa actividad de superación permanente. Se elaboró un sistema de competencias laborales para tecnólogos de la salud licenciados en Optometría y Óptica diseñadas en correspondencia con el ejercicio de sus funciones. Conclusiones: el diagnóstico realizado demostró la necesidad de un sistema de competencias laborales para contribuir al perfeccionamiento del desempeño laboral de estos profesionales, el cual fue valorado como factible, pertinente y útil de ser aplicado.

Background: the quality of a health service is based on the level of competence and performance of its workers in fulfilling their job and social functions. Objective: to develop a system of job skills for health technologists Bachelors in Optometry and Optics. Methods: a technological development investigation was carried out in the field of medical education, from January 2021 to January 2022 in secondary level institutions of the Holguín municipality. Theoretical, empirical and statistical methods were used that allowed the methodological contrast of the results. The criteria of specialists was taken into account for the assessment of the developed competency system. Results: insufficiencies were identified to carry out optical-optometric procedures, limited participation in scientific research activities, low teaching and research ranking, weaknesses in the teacher-tutor function and little permanent improvement activity. A system of job competencies was developed for health technologists with degrees in Optometry and Optics designed in accordance with the exercise of their duties. Conclusions: the diagnosis carried out demonstrated the need for a system of work competencies to contribute to the improvement of the work performance of these professionals, which was valued as feasible, relevant and useful to be applied.

Financial Inequities in Optometric Education in Canada: A Comparison of Two Optometry Programs.

SIGNIFICANCE: The advancing age of the population will require increased access to eye care services to manage eye diseases and vision correction. Optometric education requires a sound financial plan to manage student debt. This study evaluates the financial inequalities of optometric programs in Canada and how this may impact the provision of eye care professionals. PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to compare the financial inequities in optometric education in Canada from the 2020 graduating class. METHODS: A cross-sectional study assessed monetary variables related to the study of optometry in Canada, including academic and personal expenses, and overall debt and expenses related to the COVID-19 lockdown for the 2020 graduating class. RESULTS: A total of 108 optometry students from the 2020 graduating classes of the University of Montreal and the University of Waterloo responded, with 68 (female/male respondents, 53:15; mean [standard deviation] age, 25.66 [2.01] years) completing the study. Waterloo students spent more years in university ( P < .001), had higher academic fees ( P < .001), spent more on traveling to their family residence ( P = .007), and received more provincial ( P = .002) and federal ( P < .001) loans than Montreal students. Overall debt before optometry was similar among students but differed ( P < .001) at the end of their program, with Waterloo students having a higher debt burden. CONCLUSIONS: There is a financial inequity in optometric education in Canada depending on the chosen program. Cumulative optometry student debt for the 2020 graduating class in Canada ranges from Can $0 to $189,000 with an average of Can $65,800 and a median of Can $50,000. The results of this study can assist financial and government agencies, and future optometry students to better understand the financial burdens and establish a financial plan to study optometry in Canada, to respond to the growing eye care needs of the public.

Assessment of optometrists' referral accuracy and contributing factors: A review.

PURPOSE: In the UK, ophthalmology has the highest number of outpatient appointments within the National Health Service. False-positive referrals from primary care are one of the main factors contributing to the oversubscription of hospital eye services (HESs). We reviewed the accuracy of referrals originating from primary care optometrists and contributing factors, such as condition type and years since registration. RECENT FINDINGS: Of the 31 studies included in the review, 22 were retrospective analyses of referrals and appointments at the HES. Eight were prospective studies, and one used online clinical vignettes. Seven assessed the accuracy of referrals for all ocular conditions. The remaining studies focused on glaucoma (n = 11), cataracts (n = 7), emergency conditions (n = 4), neovascular age-related macular degeneration (n = 1) and paediatric binocular vision (n = 1). The diagnostic agreement for suspected emergency ocular conditions was the lowest, with only 21.1% of referrals considered to require urgent attention in one study. For glaucoma, the first-visit discharge rate was high (16.7%-48%). Optometrist referral accuracy was overall 18.6% higher than General Medical Practitioners'; however, the two mainly referred different ocular conditions. Female optometrists made more false-positive referrals than males (p = 0.008). The proportion of false positives decreased by 6.2% per year since registration (p < 0.001). SUMMARY: There was significant variation in referral accuracy across different ocular conditions, partly due to differences when defining accurate referrals. Optometrists working in primary care are generally more limited in their resources than the HES. Thus, choosing the cautious option of referral when they are unsure could be in the patients' best interests. The possible effect of increased use of advanced imaging on referrals requires evaluation. Although interventions such as refinement schemes have been put in place, these vary across regions, and their approaches such as virtual referral triaging may reduce unnecessary HES face-to-face appointments and promote communication between primary and secondary care.

Scholars180: An effective oral presentation assessment for optometry students.

Oral presentation assessments are multifunctional tools that can potentially test all six cognitive domains of Bloom's taxonomy. Yet, they are not used as frequently as other forms of assessment in curriculums due to time limitations. Hence, designing effective oral presentation assessments that can overcome this is required. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether Scholars180, an oral presentation assessment developed for optometry students, would effectively help students improve their knowledge of and confidence in the identification and management of ocular diseases. This study utilized a non-randomized pre-questionnaire and post-questionnaire design where the participants (n = 31) were asked to assess their knowledge of ocular diseases before and after the oral presentation. The questionnaire was developed according to the unit outcomes. The responses to each of the 12 Likert-type scale questions on the post-questionnaire with the respective responses on the pre-questionnaire were compared. Students (n = 31) experienced improvements in their knowledge of eye diseases and even more so in their confidence and application of their knowledge. This was indicated by the statistically significant increases in median scores and low interquartile ranges (IQR) of ≤1.0. The peer evaluation also illustrated that students felt that the assessment contributed positively to their learning experience. Teachers require a variety of assessment methods to accurately test the student's authentic depth of knowledge and achievement of learning outcomes. Scholars180 is an effective assessment that follows constructive alignment and overcomes time limitations, providing teachers an assessment to consider implementing in the future.

Private equity in ophthalmology and optometry: a time series analysis from 2012 to 2021.

Purpose: To identify temporal and geographic trends in private equity (PE)-backed acquisitions of ophthalmology and optometry practices in the United States from 2012 to 2021. Methods: In this cross-sectional time series, acquisition data from 10/21/2019 to 9/1/2021 and previously published data from 1/1/2012 to 10/20/2019 were analyzed. Acquisition data were compiled from 6 financial databases, 5 industry news outlets, and publicly available press releases. Linear regression models were used to compare rates of acquisition. Outcomes included number of total acquisitions, practice type, locations, provider details, and geographic footprint. Results: A total of 245 practices associated with 614 clinical locations and 948 ophthalmologists or optometrists were acquired by 30 PE-backed platform companies between 10/21/2019 and 9/1/2021. Of 30 platform companies, 18 were new vis-à-vis our prior study. Of these acquisitions, 127 were comprehensive practices, 29 were retina practices, and 89 were optometry practices. From 2012 to 2021, monthly acquisitions increased by 0.947 acquisitions per year (P < 0.001*). Texas, Florida, Michigan, and New Jersey were the states with the greatest number of PE acquisitions, with 55, 48, 29, and 28 clinic acquisitions, respectively. Average monthly PE acquisitions were 5.71 per month from 1/1/2019 to 2/29/2020 (pre-COVID), 5.30 per month from 3/1/2020 to 12/31/2020 (COVID pre-vaccine [P = 0.81]), and 8.78 per month from 1/1/2021 to 9/1/2021 (COVID post-vaccine [P = 0.20]). Conclusions: PE acquisitions increased during the period 2012-2021 as companies continue to utilize regionally focused strategies for acquisitions.

Feasibility of providing collaborative glaucoma care from a community optometry perspective: a mixed-methods assessment.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Despite evidence showing that optometry-led collaborative glaucoma care can be delivered at reduced cost compared to ophthalmology-based care without compromising patient outcomes, such models of care are not widely practiced in Australia. Ensuring glaucoma patients have equitable access to effective and cost-effective care is a matter of public health importance. BACKGROUND: This study examined the feasibility and business case assessment for providing glaucoma care from a community optometry perspective. METHODS: Nine optometrists were interviewed in a semi-structured format, focusing on the economic feasibility, barriers, and benefits of collaborative glaucoma care. The Consolidated Framework for Intervention Research was used for thematic data analysis. Costs and revenues associated with providing glaucoma care were sourced from the literature and interviews. A business case model assessing the profitability of glaucoma care in optometric practice was developed. RESULTS: Thematic analysis revealed concerns over financial viability such that current Medicare Benefits Schedule fees are not sufficient to justify the cost of running a community optometry glaucoma clinic. All participants received a supplementary source of revenue. This finding was confirmed by the business case assessment. Inter-professional trust was perceived to be a key barrier to initiation of collaborative care however was able to be overcome quickly upon commencement of a collaborative care relationship. Optometrists perceived that collaborative care was beneficial to all involved, including patients, ophthalmologists, optometrists, and health payers. There was a perception of a growing divide between clinical and retail optometry, which was thought by most participants to be appropriate. CONCLUSION: This study is the first to explore the feasibility and business case for community-based optometrists to provide collaborative glaucoma care in Australia. Our findings show that current public funding is insufficient to justify the business case to private optometry practice, despite being perceived by optometrists as beneficial to all involved.

Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal [2023; Vol.29, Issue 3]

Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal is the official health journal published by the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office of the World Health Organization. It is a forum for the presentation and promotion of new policies and initiatives in health services; and for the exchange of ideas concepts epidemiological data research findings and other information with special reference to the Eastern Mediterranean Region. It addresses all members of the health profession medical and other health educational institutes interested NGOs WHO Collaborating Centres and individuals within and outside the Region

المجلة الصحية لشرق المتوسط هى المجلة الرسمية التى تصدرعن المكتب الاقليمى لشرق المتوسط بمنظمة الصحة العالمية. وهى منبر لتقديم السياسات والمبادرات الجديدة فى الصحة العامة والخدمات الصحية والترويج لها، و لتبادل الاراء و المفاهيم والمعطيات الوبائية ونتائج الابحاث وغير ذلك من المعلومات، و خاصة ما يتعلق منها باقليم شرق المتوسط. وهى موجهة الى كل اعضاء المهن الصحية، والكليات الطبية وسائر المعاهد التعليمية، و كذا المنظمات غير الحكومية المعنية، والمراكز المتعاونة مع منظمة الصحة العالمية والافراد المهتمين بالصحة فى الاقليم و خارجه

La Revue de Santé de la Méditerranée Orientale est une revue de santé officielle publiée par le Bureau régional de l’Organisation mondiale de la Santé pour la Méditerranée orientale. Elle offre une tribune pour la présentation et la promotion de nouvelles politiques et initiatives dans le domaine de la santé publique et des services de santé ainsi qu’à l’échange d’idées de concepts de données épidémiologiques de résultats de recherches et d’autres informations se rapportant plus particulièrement à la Région de la Méditerranée orientale. Elle s’adresse à tous les professionnels de la santé aux membres des instituts médicaux et autres instituts de formation médico-sanitaire aux ONG Centres collaborateurs de l’OMS et personnes concernés au sein et hors de la Région

Developing culturally safe education practices in optometry schools across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

Access to culturally safe health services is a basic human right, however through the lasting effects of colonisation, oppression, and systemic racism, the individual and community health of Indigenous peoples in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand have been severely impacted. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Cultural Safety Strategy of the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency, and the Standards of Cultural Competence and Cultural Safety of the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board of New Zealand, recognise the importance of access to safe health care for Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Maori patients, which encompasses both clinical competency and cultural safety. Universities have an ongoing responsibility to ensure their learning and teaching activities result in graduates being able to provide culturally safe practice. This article highlights the emergence of culturally safe practices in the Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand optometry curricula over the last five years incorporating Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing into the curricula, understanding the local Indigenous histories and contexts, the adoption of online cultural education modules, and clinical placement partnerships with local Indigenous communities. Whilst there is still much work to do to achieve the goal of graduating culturally safe optometrists, this paper focuses on features that enable or impede progress in the development of culturally safe practices within the optometry programmes to improve eye health equity for Indigenous recognise the diversity of Indigenous cultures across Australia and NZ.

Geographic access to eye health services in Aotearoa New Zealand: which communities are being left behind?

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Efforts to provide accessible eye care must consider the extent to which travel-distance may be a barrier for some communities. BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the distribution of - and geographic access to - eye health services in Aotearoa New Zealand. We further sought to identify communities who might benefit from provision of eye health services that were more geographically accessible. METHODS: We obtained addresses of optometry and ophthalmology clinics from regulatory bodies and augmented this with online searches. Address locators were created using a Land Information dataset and geocoded using ArcGIS 10.6. A national population was derived using Statistics New Zealand's Integrated Data Infrastructure. We generated population-weighted centroids of each of New Zealand's 50,938 meshblocks and calculated the travel distance along the road network between each clinic and population (meshblock centroid). The proportion of the population living >50 km from each clinic type was calculated; as was the median, inter-quartile range and maximum distance across area-level deprivation quintiles in each district. RESULTS: A national population of 4.88 million was identified, as were addresses for 344 optometry, 46 public ophthalmology and 90 private ophthalmology clinics. Nationally and within each district, travel distance to optometry was shorter than to either type of ophthalmology clinic. The region of Northland - with a high proportion of the population Maori and in the highest quintile of area-level deprivation - had the furthest average distance to travel to optometry and public ophthalmology, while the West Coast region on the South Island had the farthest to travel to private ophthalmology. Several communities were identified where longer distances intersected with higher area-level deprivation. CONCLUSION: Most New Zealanders live within 10 km of eye health services. However, to achieve equitable eye health, strategies are required that make affordable eye health services accessible to communities for whom large travel distances intersect with high deprivation.

Changes in utilisation of optometry services with a non-targeted publicly-funded health care voucher system.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Understanding the impact of a health care voucher scheme and service access barriers could facilitate optometry service promotion to the older population. BACKGROUND: A voucher is one strategy to improve the utilisation of the different health care services available in the private sector. This study aims to explore how a health care voucher system for older people impacts utilisation of optometry services from the perspective of service users and service providers. METHODS: People aged 65 years or above were recruited to fill in a structured questionnaire studying the usage characteristics and access barriers of optometry services and the health care voucher. Views from the optometrists about the voucher scheme were collected by questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 1156 valid questionnaires from eligible voucher users was collected. Results showed that 53.7% (621/1156) of participants had used optometry services within the past 2 years. Lack of familiarity with services provided, professional fees, and prices of spectacles were the main barriers to using optometry services. Of those participants who had used the voucher for optometry services previously, 80.4% (284/353) had an eye examination in the past 2 years. Among 389 optometrists who participated in the study, over 80% agreed that the voucher scheme improved awareness of major eye conditions and access to prescription spectacles when necessary. CONCLUSION: The health care voucher for older people improved access to optometry services. Access could be further improved by increasing price transparency of professional services and prescription spectacles. Responses from optometry service providers supported the view that the voucher scheme improved access to, and utilisation of, preventive care services.

Demographics and distribution of the optometry profession in Australia: 2011 to 2019.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: An assessment of the total number, demographics and geographic distribution of optometrists in Australia may inform policy to address the maldistribution of the workforce. BACKGROUND: Concerns have been expressed about the growth of the optometry workforce in the context of, in the last decade, the establishment of four new optometry programs in addition to the three long-standing programs. METHODS: This paper analysed data obtained from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency about registered optometrists during the period 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2019. The de-identified dataset included information about registered optometrists in Australia: their first year of registration, gender, year of birth (in five-year bands), optometry qualification, registration type including endorsement for therapeutic practice and the postcode of the principal place of practice. RESULTS: Data for 6,596 registrants were obtained over the study period during which the number of female optometrists increased significantly. The age profile of the profession shifted, with younger age bands becoming a significantly greater proportion of the profession. The majority of the profession comprised optometrists with a qualification from one of the three long-standing Australian optometry programs. Graduates of those programs accounted for 75.1% of registered optometrists in 2019, while 14.3% held a qualification from an overseas institution. The proportion of optometrists practising in major Australian cities was greater than the proportion of the population in those locations. A concomitant low proportion of optometrists, relative to population size, was found in regional and remote areas. CONCLUSION: Optometrists practising in Australia can be generalised as mostly female graduates of one of the three long-standing optometry programs holding general registration with a therapeutic endorsement, and with a principal place of practice located in a major Australian city. A significant maldistribution of the workforce was found that did not change significantly during the study period.

The Importance of Health Literacy in Addressing Eye Health and Eye Care Disparities.

Disparities in eye health and eye care frequently result from a lack of understanding of ocular diseases and limited use of ophthalmic health services by various populations. The purpose of this article is to describe the principle of health literacy and its central role in enhancing health, and how its absence can result in poorer health outcomes. The article evaluates the current status of health literacy in visual health and disparities that exist among populations. It also explores ways to improve health literacy as a means of reducing disparities in visual health and eye care. Advancing dissemination of health information and enhancing health literacy may help not only to reduce healthcare barriers in the underserved populations but also to lessen visual health disparities.

An analysis of glaucoma repeat measures assessment results: Are core competencies enough?

PURPOSE: The need to validate core competency skills in qualified optometrists wishing to take part in extended roles in glaucoma care has been questioned. This analysis examines the ability of qualified optometrists to perform relevant core competency skills under standardised objective assessment conditions to explore whether such validation is justified. It also investigates if there are associations between performance, gender and length of time since qualification. METHODS: Anonymised data from the Cardiff University assessment programme for the Wales Optometry Postgraduate Education Centre (WOPEC) Local Optical Committee Support Unit glaucoma referral filtering and monitoring pathway delivered between January 2017 and March 2020 were analysed. Results were combined with demographic data from the General Optical Council register of optometrists in the UK to investigate associations between performance and practitioner characteristics, namely length of time since qualification and gender. RESULTS: The assessment results of 2215 optometrists practising in England (approximately 15% of all UK registered optometrists and 30% of all optometrists registered in England) were analysed. Failure rates for first time assessment in each of five objective structured clinical examination style practical assessments were 8.5% (van Herick); 8.8% (slit lamp binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy); 10.1% (Goldmann applanation tonometry calibration); 21.9% (Goldmann applanation tonometry) and 23.3% (case scenario interpretation and management). There were either no associations or at most very weak associations between performance and practitioner characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that these competencies are not universally present in optometrists practising in England and that ongoing training and assessment of these competencies is justified for entry into extended roles. There are no meaningful associations between performance in these assessments and gender or time since qualification.

Driving forces and current trends in private equity acquisitions within ophthalmology.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Private equity investment in ophthalmology has dramatically increased over the past 20 years. Despite a massive influx in private equity investment in ophthalmology, little is known regarding if and how private equity investment might affect practice behavior. This review seeks to discuss why private equity investment may be expanding in ophthalmology and explore recent data on demographic and billing trends before and after private equity acquisition. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent publications have identified ophthalmology and optometry practices acquired by private equity from 2012 to 2021. Practice demographics and provider billing habits before and after private equity acquisition were analyzed from 2012 to 2019 and 2012 to 2017, respectively, using Internal Revenue Service, United States Census, and Medicare fee-for-service data. SUMMARY: Private equity investment in ophthalmology is increasing and may be because of a growing demand from an aging population, fragmented network of healthcare practices, and potential for ancillary billable services. Private equity practices acquired between 2012 and 2019 were mostly in metropolitan areas with higher proportions of private insurance coverage. Ophthalmologists and optometrists in practices acquired between 2012 and 2016 showed increased utilization of diagnostic testing and cataract surgery in the year following private equity acquisition compared with the year prior to private equity acquisition.

Assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practice of glaucoma among different cadres of optometrists.

Purpose: To assess the level of knowledge, attitude, and clinical practice of glaucoma among optometry students and optometry practitioners with different years of clinical experience and academic background. Methods: A survey with 20 questions on knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of glaucoma was prepared and self-administered to optometry students and optometry practitioners practicing in an eye hospital/clinic/optical with varied years of clinical experience and education qualification. Results: Among the 558 participants, 57% were optometry practitioners and 43% were students. The knowledge scores among optometry practitioners increased significantly with an increase in the years of clinical experience (P < 0.001). Participants with master's degrees scored higher than participants with bachelor's degrees (P = 0.12). There was no statistically significant difference in knowledge scores based on the type of clinical practice - hospital, private practice, or optical (P = 0.39). Practicing optometrists who performed slit-lamp examination, gonioscopy, IOP measurements, and disc evaluation for the detection of glaucoma had significantly higher knowledge scores than those who did not perform these tests in their practice (P < 0.05). A positive attitude toward glaucoma learning through workshops and hands-on training was reported by optometrists and students. Conclusion: Knowledge about glaucoma was good among optometrists and optometry students and was better among those who handled the diagnostics. All the optometrists had a positive attitude toward enhancing their practice through proper training.

A protocol for a scoping review to map the assessment approaches in optometry education programmes globally.

BACKGROUND: The training of optometrists aims to prepare practitioners with critical thinking skills who utilise their education and experience to solve clinical problems in real-life practice. Professional competencies should inform assessment, and as such, assessment methods for learning should encompass a wide range of approaches. The objective of this scoping review is therefore to map assessment approaches utilised within optometry education programmes globally. METHODS: This study is a scoping review based on the PRISMA methodology. The review will be guided by the following research question, "What are the assessment approaches that inform optometry training globally?". This was validated by the Population-Concept-Context framework according to the methodology for Joanna Briggs Institution Scoping Reviews. Relevant peer-reviewed studies and grey literature conducted during the last 10 years will be identified from electronic databases including CINAHL, PubMed, PROquest and ERIC. The search strings using keywords such as "Optometry students and staff", "Assessments" and "Optometry education" will be conducted using Boolean logic. An independent reviewer will conduct all title screening, two independent reviewers will conduct abstract and full article screening, followed by data extraction. Thereafter, a thematic analysis will be conducted. The Mixed Method Appraisal Tool version 2018 will be used for quality appraisal of mapped studies. DISCUSSION: The review will document evidence of assessment approaches utilised in optometry training globally. Considering the exit level competencies required in the basic job function of an optometrist, a coherence in assessment approaches and relevant rationale for these would be expected, if the accredited (regulated) training programmes follow a competency-based model.

Teleophthalmology-enabled and artificial intelligence-ready referral pathway for community optometry referrals of retinal disease (HERMES): a Cluster Randomised Superiority Trial with a linked Diagnostic Accuracy Study-HERMES study report 1-study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Recent years have witnessed an upsurge of demand in eye care services in the UK. With a large proportion of patients referred to Hospital Eye Services (HES) for diagnostics and disease management, the referral process results in unnecessary referrals from erroneous diagnoses and delays in access to appropriate treatment. A potential solution is a teleophthalmology digital referral pathway linking community optometry and HES. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The HERMES study (Teleophthalmology-enabled and artificial intelligence-ready referral pathway for community optometry referrals of retinal disease: a cluster randomised superiority trial with a linked diagnostic accuracy study) is a cluster randomised clinical trial for evaluating the effectiveness of a teleophthalmology referral pathway between community optometry and HES for retinal diseases. Nested within HERMES is a diagnostic accuracy study, which assesses the accuracy of an artificial intelligence (AI) decision support system (DSS) for automated diagnosis and referral recommendation. A postimplementation, observational substudy, a within-trial economic evaluation and discrete choice experiment will assess the feasibility of implementation of both digital technologies within a real-life setting. Patients with a suspicion of retinal disease, undergoing eye examination and optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans, will be recruited across 24 optometry practices in the UK. Optometry practices will be randomised to standard care or teleophthalmology. The primary outcome is the proportion of false-positive referrals (unnecessary HES visits) in the current referral pathway compared with the teleophthalmology referral pathway. OCT scans will be interpreted by the AI DSS, which provides a diagnosis and referral decision and the primary outcome for the AI diagnostic study is diagnostic accuracy of the referral decision made by the Moorfields-DeepMind AI system. Secondary outcomes relate to inappropriate referral rate, cost-effectiveness analyses and human-computer interaction (HCI) analyses. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval was obtained from the London-Bromley Research Ethics Committee (REC 20/LO/1299). Findings will be reported through academic journals in ophthalmology, health services research and HCI. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN18106677 (protocol V.1.1).

Attitudes of optometrists in the UK and Ireland to Digital Eye Strain and approaches to assessment and management.

PURPOSE: To investigate the attitudes and understanding of optometrists in the UK and Ireland towards Digital Eye Strain (DES), and to examine related practice patterns. METHODS: An anonymous online questionnaire was developed, covering attitude and understanding of DES, examination of patients who may be experiencing DES and approaches to management options. The questionnaire was promoted to UK and Ireland optometrists via professional bodies and local and area optometric committees. RESULTS: 406 responses were included in the analysis. Most respondents agreed that DES was an important concern for optometrists (88.9%). 91.4% reported they felt confident in discussing possible symptoms of DES and management options; this was weakly and negatively associated with number of years qualified (rs  = -0.198, p ≤ 0.001). Estimations of the proportion of patients affected by DES were lower than reports in the literature (median 25%, IQR 10%-50%). Most respondents always (60.6%) or frequently (21.9%) inquired about device usage in routine case history taking, and also asked follow-up questions, although 29.3% only asked about the presence of symptoms half the time or less. Advising on regular breaks (84.0%), lubricants (55.7%) and environment/set up (69.2%) were felt to be extremely or very important by most respondents. Advising on specialist spectacle lenses, specifically blue filtering designs, was considered extremely or very important by 34.2% and 15.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Given the agreement that DES is a significant issue causing frequent and persistent symptoms, and practitioners reported high levels of confidence in discussing DES, patients can expect to receive advice on symptoms and management from their optometrist. Simple management strategies were felt to be most important to advise on, with more uncertainty linked to specialist spectacle lenses.

Burnout assessment at a college of pharmacy, college of optometry, and school of physician assistant studies.

INTRODUCTION: There is limited research on burnout among students and faculty of health professions programs. This study was designed to assess burnout among students and faculty at a college of pharmacy (COP), college of optometry (COO), and school of physician assistant studies (SPAS). METHODS: The Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL) was distributed to faculty and students at Marshall B Ketchum University (MBKU) COP, COO, and SPAS. Scores for burnout, compassion satisfaction, and secondary traumatic stress were compared between programs, faculty, and students. RESULTS: Median secondary traumatic stress scores were statistically higher for respondents (students and faculty) in the SPAS (24 [interquartile range (IQR) 17-27]) vs. respondents in the COP (20 [IQR 18-26]) and COO (19 [IQR 16-22]). Faculty had statistically higher median compassion satisfaction scores (41 [IQR 34-44]) vs. students (36 [IQR 32-40]), while students had statistically higher median burnout scale scores compared to faculty (27 [IQR 23-32] vs. 21 [IQR 17-26]). There was no difference in secondary traumatic stress between students and faculty, and there were no differences in compassion satisfaction or burnout between programs. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that students in the COP, COO, and SPAS had higher burnout scores when compared to faculty at the study institution. These results suggest that efforts to address burnout should first focus on students. SPAS students and faculty may require specific efforts to address secondary trauma.