College boosts profile of research in practice

The College of Optometrists has launched the support strategy iPRO (Innovation in Practice Based Research) to encourage and support practice-based research by members within their community practice.

iPRO is funded entirely by the College and delivered by the University of Birmingham to expand the network of practitioners undertaking practice-based research, encourage the dissemination of research findings, raise the profile of practice-based research across the profession and provide a source of evidence for policy makers.

The range of support services iPRO provides includes practical research advice and mentorship to optometrists, information sources of research advice, training programmes in research methodology, a small grants scheme and a collaborative network for optometrists undertaking primary care optometry research.