GOC launches 2023 Registrant Workforce and Perceptions Survey

The General Optical Council (GOC) has today launched its Registrant Workforce and Perceptions Survey to gain valuable insights about its registrants, their views on Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and the GOC overall.

The survey is being run independently by Enventure Research to ensure all responses remain confidential. The GOC is keen to hear from optometrists, dispensing opticians and students about the challenges and opportunities they face in daily clinical roles, including job satisfaction levels, potential pressures at work, and career development plans.

Last year’s findings revealed that the majority of respondents (62%) were satisfied with their role and that 40 per cent planned to gain additional qualifications/skills. However, it also highlighted that some challenges still remain, with a minority of respondents (31%) finding it difficult to provide patients with the sufficient level of care they need.

Steve Brooker, GOC Director of Regulatory Strategy, said: “Each year, this survey allows us to better understand our registrants and how they feel about their job and career. Now in the second year of our new CPD cycle, which represented a significant change in our requirements, we're keen to hear from registrants on their experiences to help us to refine the scheme and plan for the next CPD cycle.

The findings from this year’s survey will also help us and other optical sector bodies to understand trends in the workforce and assist us with the development of our new strategy and wider work.

We encourage all student and fully qualified registrants to take part to ensure the report is representative of optometrists and dispensing opticians views and experiences across the whole of the UK.”

The survey will take 10-15 minutes to complete and there is a prize draw to win a £100 online gift card as a thank you for taking part.

The closing date for the survey is 25 April.

Visit the Registrant Workforce and Perceptions Survey.