A recent survey conducted and published in Clinical and Experimental Optometry showed the factors that make an optometrist happy in their workplace. About 78% of Australian optometrists reported that work-related factors such as clinical challenges keep them happy and satisfied with their profession.

The second biggest factor that the participants liked about their work was people-related factors such as being able to help others and establishing relationships with their patients. They stated these reasons as being satisfying.

Out of all 60 participants, 23 responded that they liked the problem-solving aspect of their job, while 19 participants liked optometry for its being challenging and interesting. About 16 participants liked the medical aspects, while only 14 of them preferred the variety encountered in the workplace. Only 2 participants liked the fact that optometrists rarely had to deliver bad news to the patients.

Clinical freedom accounted for about 18.3% of the most frequently cited reason for the participants liking their job. It was followed by liking their patients, practice structure, and overall work philosophy. In comparison, participants who worked as employees valued their relationships with colleagues and staff more than self-employed optometrists who valued their patients more.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, clinical issues were cited as the number 1 stressor, accounting for over 53% of dissatisfaction rates. Stress also included dealing with complex patients, patient expectations, patient anxiety or personality, accuracy of diagnosis, and simply treating the nature of the job as not being fun anymore. These factors were followed by work demands, meeting schedules and deadlines, and management tasks.

So what does this mean if you are considering a career in optometry? You will most likely be satisfied with the profession if you are prepared for the challenge of complex clinical cases (which can involve detective-like work – putting all the clues together), and are the sort of person who likes to work with people. Clinical challenges, establishing relationships with patients, problem solving, and the fact that you don’t often have to deliver bad news to patients are what current optometrists like about the profession. Be prepared to deal with concerns such as the expectations of patients, the accuracy of your diagnostic work, keeping your schedule and performing management tasks.