Optical dispensers are being urged to complete a 15-point survey ahead of a crucial forum later this month, when attendees will debate ways to raise standards across the profession to pull it into line with international counterparts.
Mr Paul Clarke, who is a past president of the International Opticians Association, has distributed the survey, which asks dispensers for their views on current industry representation, education opportunities and how valued the profession is.
An overview of the findings will be presented at the Optical Dispensers Forum – to be moderated by Clarke – at the O=MEGA show on 20 July, which itself could prove to be a turning point for the now deregulated sector.
“Unquestionably, optical dispensing as a profession in this country is not functioning as well as it could be,” Clarke said.
“So, the intended outcome of the forum is to motivate people within the profession that have a passion and desire to advance optical dispensing nationally, to a standard that parallels or exceeds that of countries such as New Zealand, Canada and the UK.”
O=MEGA will also provide the backdrop for the launch of the reunified Australian Dispensing Opticians Association (ADOA) and the ADOA Victorian chapter, which have vowed to set aside their long-standing differences for the sake of the industry.
The united body is promising to now represent all dispensers, including those at optometry chains, and will offer associate memberships for those who do not hold a diploma qualification.
Clarke invited qualified optical dispensers, optical mechanics, trainees, optometrists working as optical dispensers and optical assistants to complete the survey.
He said the survey also sought information on; current awareness of the existing representative bodies; whether they held an association membership; and, if so, their level of satisfaction with that association.
“It also explores whether there is an appetite amongst the group to acquire recognition for participating in continuing education programs, and is intended to assist in the development of an effective association for optical dispensers in Australia,” he said. “A greater than expected number of responses to the survey have already come in and are continuing to come in.”
The results so far reveal a desire amongst optical dispensers for change and greater recognition.”People wanting to complete the survey can do so. The O=MEGA dispensing forum will take place at the Melbourne Convention Centre in the conference room Courtyard Room 1 from 9-10am on Saturday 20 July.”
