Optometry aims to boost smoking cessation training

Academics from City University London have found training provided to student optometrists on supporting smokers to be ‘extremely limited’ in the UK.

To determine the extent of smoking cessation training, the City team invited all nine undergraduate optometry schools in the UK to participate in a web-based survey.

The researchers found that trainees are primarily taught about the harmful effects and health consequences of smoking, but no training was provided on how optometrists can actually support their patients to quit.

Three quarters of schools reported that they did not formally examine students on their knowledge or skills for supporting smoking cessation. Lack of knowledge amongst staff was identified as the key barrier to teaching about smoking cessation support.