UK optometrists participate in enhanced eye care service schemes primarily to further their professional development, new research by the College of Optometrists has found.
The College-funded study, conducted by researchers from the Centre for Public Health Research at City University London and the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital and published in BMJ Open, explored the views of 74 optometrists, ophthalmologists, and General Practitioners (GPs) involved such schemes.
Respondents said as providers of ‘for-profit’ healthcare they felt the need to consider the impact of the schemes on their business as part of any decision about involvement.
Despite this the College said many of the optometrists cited financial incentives and opportunities to develop their business as important drivers to participate. It also said participating optometrists identified potential benefits to the wider NHS through reducing the burden on hospital eye services and overall healthcare costs.
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