AI and real-time access to comprehensive eye health data, flexible working conditions, optometrists working as neurosensory specialists and alternative funding models to Medicare. These are some of the ways Optometry Australia (OA) envisages the profession to be working by 2040.
The organisation has launched its Refreshing Optometry 2040 report. It’s an update to its Optometry 2040 project released in 2018 that identified plausible, and the preferred, futures for optometry, optometrists and community eye health.
OA undertook the work after recognising some assumptions had progressed faster than expected, while others were slower or hadn’t budged at all. To reassess and refresh its scenarios, it enlisted experts Professor Niki Ellis and Ms Jane Palmer, of Niki Ellis and Associates, to lead the project, with futurist Professor Sohail Inayatullah reviewing at key points.
Practising as an optometrist in 2040
According to OA, in 2040, it’s hoped optometrists are an integral part of a multidisciplinary, collaborative health care system that provides patients with seamless access to services.
AI – coupled with real-time access to comprehensive health data – will enable optometrists to predict future patient health issues and work with them as active participants in decisions about their care.
“This scenario sees optometry as a multi-tiered profession with several specialisations, including as neurosensory specialists utilising diagnostic retinal imaging for a range of neurological conditions, and postgraduate professional paths that variously meet the complex eyecare needs of geographically and culturally diverse populations,” OA stated.
“Supported by regulatory reform, optometry expands in scope to include a greater role in disease management and intervention. Optometrists work across a wide range of modalities, and are embedded in a network of primary care, specialist and other support services (including GPs, ophthalmologists and disability services) with support from AI, real-time data, and technologies such as implantable eye health monitors.”
According to OA, the work of optometrists could be conducted virtually, face-to-face, remotely or highly localised, at home, in health kiosks such as pharmacies, in multidisciplinary primary care clinics, or in legacy retail businesses.
“The range of delivery modalities means that optometrists have flexible working hours and a networked capacity to share/distribute service delivery, reducing workforce turnover and increasing work-life balance,” OA stated.
With a substantial rise in chronic and complex health conditions, OA expects the community to accept governments cannot fully fund healthcare. This could spur public-private partnerships with community businesses and industry, and a greater financial contribution from consumers and health insurers. Medicare fee-for-service funding may be largely replaced by funding of health services based on “packaging of services for each patient” (capitation) or on patient outcomes. New and improved communications and data transfer systems to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of interprofessional practice would also be established.
Meanwhile, “horizontally integrated health services” could see optometry incorporated into small centres such as pharmacies, through to larger multidisciplinary urban and regional health hubs. It’s believed glasses and contact lenses will easily be obtained online, while consumers continue to refer to optometrists with any concerns, and for ongoing management of eye health conditions.
“[In 2040] public education and awareness programs have raised consumer understanding of the broader role of optometrists in holistic and preventive health care, and provide consumers with guidelines on eyecare, at-home digital ocular services and how to decide when to contact an eyecare professional,” OA said.
For optometry training and education, there will be a new emphasis on teamwork, leadership and collaboration, says OA. Education opportunities would be shared with other health professions, including training placements. Optometrists would also receive ongoing training in culturally safe practice, while a digital health transformation and the use of big data will require ongoing education in advanced technologies such as AI and cybersecurity.
“[In 2040] optometry practice is now fully responsive to social and regulatory demands for sustainability to limit the impacts of climate change, and overall, CPD programs are continuously reviewed to respond to new technologies, government policy changes and evolving community needs,” OA stated.
Collectively shaping optometry’s future
The work done on the Refreshing Optometry 2040 project will feed into OA’s strategic plan for 2024.
“Optometry is constantly changing due to demographic, technology, economic, government and societal forces,” OA CEO Ms Skye Cappuccio said.
“Optometry 2040 is about taking control of our future, so it was clear that more work needed to be done to support the ongoing evolution of optometry in Australia, to take advantage of the opportunities of new technology, big data and a growing workforce, and increase access to eye care for all Australians.”
She said by embracing the updated preferred future for optometry, the sector could collectively shape a future where eye health is accessible and equitable for all Australians, and optometrists are used to their fullest clinical scope.
Read the full Refreshing Optometry 2040 report here, and access a summary report here.
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