Evolution Of Optometric Practice Expectations: A Survey Of Practitioners.

Background: This research seeks to assess the relationship between optometric career
expectations and current career state in regards to mode of practice, income, location, and other specific optometric practice characteristics. It aims to look specifically at how the current career of optometrists compares to what they expected and desired when selecting optometry as their profession.
Methods: The research for this study was conducted via an online survey questionnaire
consisting of twenty-one free-response questions about optometrists’ expectations and
current level of satisfaction in regards to characteristics such as income, mode of practice, geographic location in which they practice, practice ownership (if applicable), daily work schedule, and flexibility to practice as they would like. The survey was distributed to current members of the Michigan Optometric Association via email and 111 responses were collected. Data was compiled and analysis looked for general trends in responses.
Results: A considerable majority, 83% and 84% of optometrists, respectively, report
they are satisfied with their current mode of practice and geographic location. Overall,
72% of optometrists report their income has either met or exceeded their expectations.
Of optometrists that have at least partial ownership of a practice, the largest percentage,
38%, obtained ownership of a practice within 1-3 years after graduation. The majority of
working optometrists received full time work (greater than 30 hours per week) straight
out of school at a single practice location.
Conclusions: Overall, a considerable majority of optometrists are pleased with their
current mode of optometric practice, with the largest percentage practicing in the private
practice setting. Optometrists as a whole are also satisfied with their income and
geographic location. It is perhaps more difficult than one would think to obtain full-time
employment at one practice after graduating from optometry school but full time
employment appears to be quite possible for those willing to practice at multiple
locations. Business concepts, insurance billing and coding, and aspects of purchasing an optometric practice are consistently cited as elements of optometric education which
could be improved.