title: Practitioner perspectives on extended clinical placement programs in optometry.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Some universities are looking to provide a more diverse range of clinical learning experiences through extended clinical placement programs. This approach will potentially have a significant impact on practitioners. The aim of this study was to conduct a national survey of optometrists to ascertain their perspectives on participating in extended clinical placement programs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Members of Optometry Australia were invited to participate in a survey conducted during June and July 2014.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 268 practitioners participated (six per cent of registered Australian optometrists): 159 were predominantly employees or locums and 109 were owners or managers who identified as the key representative of a practice or organisation for the purpose of this survey. Almost two-thirds (65 per cent) of participants, who were employees or locums were supportive of extended clinical placement programs. Among this group, females were more likely to be supportive than males (p = 0.033). In comparison, just over one-third (34 per cent) of participants who were key decision-makers were supportive, with 30 per cent possibly supportive and 36 per cent not supportive. Among key decision-makers, males were more likely to be supportive (p = 0.009). The top three perceived advantages of supervising a student were: opportunity to mentor early career development, opportunity to give back to the profession and future recruitment. The top three perceived disadvantages were: burden on time, decrease in number of patients examined and burden on support staff. Suggested incentives for supervising students were credit for continuing professional development and financial remuneration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There appears to be moderate support for extended clinical placement programs; however, there are incentives that might engage a larger proportion of the profession in the future. These findings can inform the development of effective and sustainable clinical training programs for optometry students. Additionally, the findings might be used as evidence to seek Government support for clinical placement training in optometry.
authors.affiliation: Australian College of Optometry, National Vision Research Institute, Carlton, Australia. sbentley@aco.org.au.|Deakin Optometry, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Australia. sbentley@aco.org.au.
authors.forename: Sharon A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Bentley
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Australia.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cartledge
authors.affiliation: Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.
authors.forename: Daryl J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Guest
authors.affiliation: Optometry Australia, Carlton, Australia.
authors.forename: Skye
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cappuccio
authors.affiliation: Deakin Optometry, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Australia.
authors.forename: Craig A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Woods
mesh_terms: D000068:Accreditation; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009907:Optometry / Q000193:education*; D013334:Students; D014495:Universities
keywords: clinical placement program; optometric education