Key findings of Optometry Australia survey revealed

Of the 870 mbers who participated, 96% believed OA should focus on lobbying the government for changes to Medicare runeration, while 87% said it was important to ensure there was not an oversupply or undersupply of optometrists.Concerns over Medicare rebates were further highlighted by 25% of respondents indicating that they intended to decrease their number of bulk-billed consultations in the next five years.The competing interests between sub-groups of optometrists and the challenge of representing the perspectives of all mbers was reportedly another concern, as was the relationship between OA and RANZCO.A spokesperson from OA clarified that concerns regarding the relationship stmed from the fact that many mbers wanted OA to communicate their disappointment with recent referral pathways developed by RANZCO.“They [referral pathways] did not reflect the reality of the experience of many of our mbers who work collaboratively with ophthalmologists to help ensure that quality eyecare is readily accessible to patients. Optometry Australia made that point to RANZCO at the time, noting it was a missed opportunity to highlight how their fellows and our mbers work together for the best patient outcomes,” the spokesperson said.“It’s important to our mbers that we have a relationship with RANZCO that is open and genuinely consultative with us as the voice for the profession, regardless of the environment in which optometrists practice.”Mbers also believed it was important for OA to lobby for new Medicare its (94%), appropriate regulatory requirents (90%) and conditions for effective collaboration with other health professionals.Furthermore, 82% would like to see optometry’s scope of practice extended, while mbers also thought OA should be lobbying the government about potential changes to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Sche, improving conditions for regional optometrists and ensuring disadvantaged groups had access to eyecare services.According to the survey results, the vast majority of respondents – 89% – would recommend OA mbership to colleagues, graduates and other optometrists. The main reasons given for being a mber included professional indnity insurance, representation to government, being a part of the professional body and access to CPD.