Independents take lead in therapeutics

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).