This study provides novel insight into patients' perceptions and experience with optometric practice in the areas of tobacco smoking and nutrition. The majority of respondents expected their optometrist to examine their eye health, ask them about their smoking and diet habits, and indicated feeling comfortable discussing these topics with their primary eye care provider. These findings suggest that brief advice interventions relating to tobacco use and diet are likely to be acceptable to deliver in optometry practice.
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.
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