News

Independent practitioners are more likely to be early adopters of therapeutic prescribing than those working in multiples, according to a new survey carried out by City University for the College of Optometrists (News, January 19).

The survey suggests that 10 per cent of independent practitioners are currently training to become additional supply optometrists compared with 4 per cent of those in multiple practice. Hospital optometrists are most likely to be undergoing this training (16 per cent) and locums are least likely (2 per cent).

Fewer optometrists are training to be supplementary prescribers but uptake is again higher among those working in independent practice than in multiples (5 per cent versus 2 per cent).

Overall, the uptake of training for an extended prescribing role is low. However, relatively few practitioners responding to the survey said they had no interest in prescribing or had no intention of undergoing further training in therapeutics.

The research also showed that independent practitioners tend to supply chloramphenicol more frequently than those working in multiples, or locums. But year of qualification does not appear to influence the rate of supply.

● More results in the first of a new series, 'Getting started in therapeutics', sponsored by Alcon, which starts this week (page 20).

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