Patterns of Practice in Australian Optometry Part III — The influence of education, age, location of practice, and nationality on optometrists' work practices

Abstract

: Questionnaires completed by 106 Australian optometrists were used to test predictions concerning four factors (educational qualification, time since graduation, location of practice, nationality) hypothesised to be associated with differing work practices. Comparison of graduates from the Universities of New South Wales and Melbourne indicated that the latter devoted significantly more time to contact lens practice and performed the following procedures more frequently: cover test, measurement of amplitude of convergence and stereopsis, and Bjerrum screen field analysis. Graduates from UNSW had longer consultation times; measured ductions, fixation disparity and visual fields more frequently; and were more likely to perform tonometry and cycloplegic and mydriatic examinations. Comparison of recent graduates with those of more than ten years standing, revealed few significant differences. Older graduates devoted greater time to history taking and were less likely to perform tonometry using a Goldmann probe mounted on a slit lamp. Location of practice influenced some professional activities. Rural optometrists spent a greater proportion of their time carrying out general examinations and less time doing industrial optometry than did urban optometrists. Results of the Australian sample were compared with British data collected by Fox1. Australians were less likely than British optometrists to measure fixation disparity or to examine versions of older patients.