Abstract
The objective of this study was to establish the perceptions, expectations, apprehensions and realities of South Africa optometry students completing their undergraduate studies in 2006. Copies of a questionnaire containing relevant information were distributed to all graduating students at the four Universities offering Optometry. The responses were coded and analyzed. The respondents (N=143), representing 77% of the graduating students included 27.3% males and 72.7% females, aged 20 to 37 years (mean = 23.34 ± 2.75). About a third (32.9%) of the respondents considered opening their own practice as the best way of entering into practice. Also, this mode of practice was considered as providing the greatest fulfilment for their personal (60.8%) and professional (53.8%) goals as well as offering long term financial security (43.7%). Many (56.6%) have secured employment before graduation. Upon graduation, 43.4% would like to join a franchise. Many (79.7%) felt that Government was not offering sufficient opportunities for optometrists. The majority, (70.6%) felt that the South African optometry profession is fastly becoming saturated and this was of great concern to many (31.5%). About half, (50.3%) have plans to go overseas to practice and the most common destinations were the UK (36.1%) and Australia (15%). The mean minimum monthly salary expected as new graduates was between R9 500 and R11 500 in the public and private sectors respectively. On a response scale, the future of optometry in South Africa was scored as 6.59 ± 1.92. Findings in this study may be useful to all stake holders in optometric education in South Africa, as they may reflect the future of the optometry profession in the country.
Highlights
Optometry education was started in South Africa at the Witwatersrand Technikon in 1931 with the introduction of a part time course
It is necessary for educators to ascertain the perceptions, expectations and apprehensions of their students
Females were more numerous than males among the participants
Summary
Optometry education was started in South Africa at the Witwatersrand Technikon in 1931 with the introduction of a part time course. Departments in other institutions were started: University of Durban Westville ( University of Kwazulu-Natal) (1980), The Rand Afrikaans University (1984) ( the University of Johannesburg) and University of the Free State (2002). These institutions are the only sources of the optometric workforce in South Africa and the neighbouring countries, with a few practitioners entering the profession from outside South Africa
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