It is a commonly held belief that pressure on the healthcare system and an increasingly litigious society is creating what feels to be a ticking time bomb for professionals working in the sector.
How far individual practitioners should assume responsibility, when a mistake is made, weighed against the extent their employer is liable is a battle still being fought at case level. But for those entering the field of optics, there is a deep sense of accountability – with diligent patient care at the heart of what they do.
The AOP’s 2016 survey into the wellbeing of UK optometrists is a clear indicator of that ethos – with over 50% of respondents reporting they work to tight deadlines and experience higher levels of stress when there is insufficient time. The same group also cited the threat of litigation as a source of stress in the workplace.
Last year around one in four AOP members picked up the phone to seek advice from our in-house legal and regulatory experts. While statistics suggest most practitioners will face a complaint at some point during their career, many of these are resolved quickly. However, in some instances, there can be factors that make a case much more serious and complex.
As with many aspects of professional life, the ‘not knowing’ can often be a daunting prospect and we often have feedback from members to say that more information on the legalities surrounding the profession, and real case studies, would help.
To highlight some of the legal issues faced by practitioners, we recently launched our Who’s got your back? campaign which tells the real-life stories of two AOP members who found themselves under investigation from the GOC.
We produced videos on the GOC investigation process and the support available. Find out more at www.aop.org.uk/gotyourback.