Factors Influencing Indian Optometry Candidates -Career Choices And Institution Of Learning. Why Do Indian Students Choose To Study
Optometry?
Mr. Sourin Pal,
NSHM College of Management and Technology, Durgapur, West Bengal, India.
Mr. Rajib Mandal,
Principal, Netra Jyothi Institute of Allied Health Sciences, Udupi, Karnataka, India-576101.
Mr. Manish Sonawane,
Optometrist, Aditya Jyot Eye Hospital, Mumbai, India.
Corresponding author:
1. Mr. Rajib Mandal, Principal, Netra Jyothi Institute of Allied Health Sciences, Udupi, Karnataka, India-576101.
ABSTRACT
Background: Optometry is a health-care profession, and this study aimed to elucidate the factors influencing the choice of optometry as a career for Indian students.
Methods: 200 undergraduate students (male=75, 43.6%, female = 97,56.4%) from three different institution aged between 19 to 26 years included in these studies to complete self- administrated questionnaires which included concerning demography, option of best profession, occupation discernment and elements affecting vocation decisions.
Result: The respond rate was 86 per cent. Eighty-one per cent of the participants were from NSHM College of Management and Technology (males and females) and Nineteen per cent were from other Optometry Institute of India. Regarding the first choice for their careers, the females (55.55 per cent) were 1.27 times more likely to choose optometry than males (45.45per cent). The females were significantly more likely to be influenced by all the factors compare to male. Generally, almost 95% of the respondents viewed the desire to help others, Good salary and professional prestige and job availability as the most influential factors in opting for a career in optometry. To get job after course completion main two factors were participation in induction and subject passes and points obtained in each semester/year.
Conclusion: Females were more likely to opt for a career in optometry than males. Main reason to be influenced to join optometry were job availability after graduation, good salary and job prospects, flexible work schedule. Service provision to others in the community was a primary motivation to opt for a career in optometry among young Indians.
Key word: Optometry, Career, Indian students, Institution.
Introduction
Optometry is a health care profession that includes analysing the eyes and relevant visual frameworks for imperfections or abnormalities just as the remedy of error of refraction with spectacle or contact lens and therapy of eye infections. Customarily, the field of optometry started with the essential focus of managing error of refraction utilizing spectacles. Advanced optometry, nonetheless, has developed through time so the instructive educational program furthermore remembers critical preparing for the determination and the management of ocular
disorder, in the greater part of the nations of the world, where this occupation is set up and regulated.
Choice of career is a result of a lifelong process that starts long before school leaving age.
Career aspirations expressed by adolescents are mostly unstable and tend to change many times before adulthood. The changes occur due to social issues, family background, economic status, access to opportunity structures and individual characteristics. A wrong choice of career may result in anxiety with negative impact. Unfortunate circumstances, for example, poor financial compensation may provoke a few groups to leave one calling to seek after different alternatives that might be all the more monetarily fulfilling. There are many factors which may influence the choice of a career; and these include personal interest, prospects of good financial remuneration and family influence, where a parent or family member recommends the career.
Other factors include enthusiasm, challenge, motivation to help others and the ability to define one’s own personal goals. For example, studies involving ophthalmology residents in choosing ophthalmology revealed intellectual stimulation, the desire to acquire skills, perceived prestige and attractive working hours and conditions. Several studies involving health sciences students in India and other parts of the world highlight income, job accessibility, a desire to help others and previous knowledge of the profession as a portion of the significant explanations behind picking explicit professions (1-3). The decision of a proper profession, occupation is quite possibly the main choices that one makes throughout everyday life and there are numerous elements which may impact such a choice (4). Uchechukwu L Osuagwu et al in their study to discover the elements influencing to pick optometry as a profession on 247 optometry understudies of Saudi Arabia found that females were bound to decide on a vocation in optometry and males were bound to be impacted by the new OD programs, great compensation and occupation possibilities. Administration arrangement to others locally was an essential inspiration to decide on a vocation in optometry among youthful Saudis. (5) Samuel Bert Boadi- kusi et al in their study on 280 optometry understudies they discovered the elements that impacted their profession decision were work accessibility after graduation (90 %) and want to help others (89.2 %). Variables that affected their organization decision were inclination for an establishment (36.8 %) and nearness to home (24.4 %). Without satisfactory optometry occupations in the general wellbeing area, ladies will remain underestimated explicitly those in country territories. This underestimation is be that as it may, an impression of a more extensive cultural drawback for ladies. More noteworthy exertion should be made to enlist secondary school understudies from rustic territories to contemplate optometry and more establishments need to give optometry guidance all through the nation. (6) KP Mashige et al.
tracked down the most noteworthy evaluated factors which impacted their decision of optometry were the craving to help others (92.8%), work accessibility after graduation (92%), subjects passed and focuses got in the matric year (91.2%) and the possibility to procure a decent compensation (88.6%), separately. Scarcely any appraised news and other media (20.9%) as a significant factor in their choice to pick their present organization of learning while 29.5% revealed that inability to acquire admission to examine different degrees was a significant factor. These outcomes might be helpful to establishments offering optometry degrees to detail successful enlistment systems to draw in quality understudies. Additionally, they might be valuable to vocation advocates in advising planned understudies on their profession decision and foundation of learning. (1)
The purpose of this study was to establish the factors which influenced students currently studying and have passed out optometry in Indian institutions in deciding on the course of study and choice of institution and perception about optometry career. Information was collected
with a poll on socioeconomics of the understudies and the variables that may have impacted their decision of optometry as a profession and their institution of learning.
Methodology:
All undergraduate students of optometry program of the College of Applied Medical Sciences at NSHM College of Management and Technology and Aditya Jyot Institute of Optometry and Gorge College of Optometry were invited to participate in this study. The initial self- administered questionnaire drafted simultaneously in English, was piloted on a sample of final year students in order to assess the length and clarity of the questions before the final questionnaire was distributed.
Procedure
A questionnaire on the demography of the students and factors that might have influenced their choice of career and institution of learning was used for data collection. The design of the questionnaire was based on the review of relevant literature. The survey had done on online questionnaire form with the help of google form. The students were invited by sharing the link of the questionnaire form via WhatsApp and via mail. All queries from the questionnaire during the review were addressed and the questionnaire adjusted accordingly before the final study was conducted. Participants were informed of the purpose of the study and that their participation in the study was voluntary. Those who agreed to partake in the study and were assured of the confidentiality of information provided. After collecting the data from the respondent all those data were analysed by cross tabulation methods.
Results
Out of a total of 200 undergraduate students of all three institutions, the survey findings included in these analyses are based on responses from 171 undergraduate students. Response rate is of 86%.
Table 1 shows age distribution of all respondents according their gender.
Parameter Range Mean
Age of male respondent 19 to 26 years 21.7 ± 1.5 years Age of female respondent 19 to 24 years 20.9 ± 1.2 years
Table 2 shows the distribution of participants according to their gender and current institute where they are studying.
Parameter
Frequency, Percentage
Gender Male n = 75, 43.6%
Female n = 97, 56.4 %
Respondents NSHM College of Management and Technology n=100 (74.6%) Aditya Jyoti Institute of Optometry n=12(8.9%)
Gorge College of Optometry n=22(16.4%)
The mean age was 21.7 ± 1.5 years (range, 19 to 26 years) for participating men and 20.9 ± 1.2 years (range, 19 to 24 years) for women. The proportion of male students (n = 75, 43.6 per cent) and females (n = 97, 56.4 per cent). All students were Indian nationals and Nepal.
Out of 171 responders 134 (77.9%) responded that the current institution where they are studding was their first choice of institution while taking admission. Out of 134 students 100 (74.6%) were from NSHM College of Management and Technology and 12(8.9%) were from Aditya Jyoti Institute of Optometry and 22(16.4%) were from Gorge College of Optometry.
Whereas rest (n=38, 22.1%) were responded although current institution was not their first choice of institution due to some reason thy have taken admission in their current institution. As career choice 103(59.9%) respondent were reported Optometry was the 1st choice before taking admission whereases other 68(40.1%) respondent responded that they preferred to join in Agriculture (n=2,3%), Bachelor in Geographical Sciences (BGS) (n=1,1.4%), Bachelor in Physiotherapy (BPT) (n=1,1.4%), BDS (n=2,3%), B. Pharm (n=3,4.4%), Biotechnology (n=1,1.4%), BSc nursing (n=2,3%), Designing (n=1, 1.4%), Engineering (n=3,4.4%), MBBS (n=48,70.6%), Microbiology (n=1,1.4%), Bachelor in Business Administration (BBA) (n=1, 1.4%), Photography (n=1, 1.4%), Veterinary (n=1, 1.4%).
Table 3: Analysis of factors influencing choice of career
Questionnaire Statistical analysis in terms of frequency and percentage Participation in induction
day
Important n=125, 73%
Not important n=5, 3%
Not sure n=41, 24%
Subjects passed and points obtained in preparatory year
Important n=150, 88%
Not important n=7, 4%
Not sure n=14, 8%
Job availability after graduation
Guaranteed n=155, 91%
Not guaranteed n=5,
3% Not sure n=11,6%
Desire to help other
people Yes n=163, 95%
No n=8, 5%
Join to optometry because
of failure to secure a place in other competitive
examination Yes n=38, 33%
No n=133, 77%
Potential to earn a good
salary after completing
the course Yes n=156, 91% No n=8, 5% Not sure n=7, 4%
Flexible work schedule Yes n=146, 85% No n=12, 7%
Not sure n=13, 8%
High professional status and prestige of the
profession Yes n=159, 93% No n=5, 3% Not sure n=7, 4%
Opportunity to interact
with other professionals Yes n=150, 88% No n=7, 4%
Not sure n=14, 8%
Having opportunity to use own start-up/clinic after
course completion Yes n=149, 87% No n=5, 3%
Not sure n=17, 10%
Always wanted to be an
optometrist Yes n=105, 62% No n=30, 17%
Not sure n=36, 21%
Influence from parents,
relatives and friends Yes n=125, 73% No n=46, 27%
The females were significantly more likely to be influenced by all the factors compare to male.
Generally, almost 95% of the respondents viewed the desire to help others, Good salary and
professional prestige and job availability as the most influential factors in opting for a career in optometry.
74.7% (n=124) respondent have given importance to participate in induction day, 73.4% (121 students) respondent have given importance to past working experience with an optometrist and 89.75% (n=149) respondent have given importance to subjects passed, and points obtained in each year to get job after completion of course. Generally, almost 95% of the respondents viewed the desire to help others, Good salary and professional prestige and job availability as the most influential factors in opting for a career in optometry. 24% (n=39 students) respondent have given reason to join optometry is due to failure of securing a place in other degree whereases 73% (n=125) respondent reported that they were influenced by friends and relatives and 63.4% (n=106 students) respondent have a view to become an optometrist by themselves.
88.6% (148 students) respondent have joined optometry because they have a view to open their own clinic after completing their graduation. The females were more likely than the males to be influenced by their friends and relatives in making their career choice.
Analysis of other comments:
There were 8 responded who made extra comments. Three were concerned about the current lack of differentiation in salary structure on the government scale and the level of hospital placement between the MSc and the BSc optometrists. Two (25 percent) stated as ‘confusing’
the existing ‘level’ (semester) system used in identification of students’ year of study in the program. One respondent expressed concern about the lack of public awareness of the scope of practice of optometrists, the prospect of securing a good job after graduating as an Optometrist and the fact that students are often pushed into a program that was not their choice.
Discussion
This is a study to identify factors influencing career choices of young adults who choose to be an Optometrists. The central point impacting the decision of Optometry as a vocation distinguished in this investigation are the longing to help individuals and the notoriety related with the profession. Job prospects, a higher earning potential, the ability to use one’s own initiatives on the job, and participation at the induction day were also considered important factors by a majority of both male and female respondents. Less important factors were ‘the preparatory year performance,’ ‘the influence of friends and family members,’ ‘no alternative institution existed’ and ‘the influence of the media.’ Additionally, the results from this study showed that males were significantly more likely than the females to be influenced by good salary prospects and good job prospects. Females were essentially more outlandish than males to be impacted by their companions in picking a lifelong way in optometry. In choosing optometry as a 1st option for career 56.31% females responded yes in comparison to males (43.68%). In total number of participants, the rate of female responders (56.31%) was more than male (43.68%). Generally, a significant proportion of the respondents (59.9 per cent) indicated that optometry was their first career choice and females in this study were significantly more likely than males to make optometry a first career choice. A possible explanation for the majority of the students choosing optometry as a career first choice could be the availability of government educational funds, facility to travel to other nations for graduate studies and an overall craving to really focus straightforwardly on patients. A majority (40.1 per cent) of those whose first career choice was not optometry, preferred other healthcare careers, such as medicine (58 per cent) and dentistry (21.7 per cent). As to foundation of best option, practically all female (92%) and a dominant part of the male respondents (78.3 percent) referred to their present establishment as the best option organization. About 22.8% of the total responders first choice was not the current institute, as it is not the only one where they can study optometry. For the remainder of the females, no reaction with respect to best option of
establishment was gotten (8.0 percent). Participants who selected NSHM are mostly from Nepal because in their country the opportunity for study optometry is not sufficient and most of them choose to study in India as when they will join to work their country, they have to clear
a govt organized exam then they will be eligible to work in their country. In reality this course
"Optometry'' isn't notable to the residents of India as they can't envision that there is a course like this for whom who need to serve as a medical practitioner who can’t crack the medical entrance examination and in private sector they can’t afford the high fess of the course. The rate of choosing optometry as career are female may be because of they are comfortable and even stable for this profession. Influenced from the seniors of neighbour or relative as choice of Institution may be decided. This finding is reliable with those of a past report. (1-6)
The majority of students were from the urban areas and this is of concern as Indians live in rural areas. Optometrists tend to prefer practicing in the urban areas, often leaving rural residents without optometric services. Optometry institutions may need to look into strategies of improving admission of students from rural areas. Also, many Indians living in rural areas may not be able to afford the cost of transportation to urban areas for eye care and possibly the higher costs of eye care there. If there are students from the rural areas, there is some chance that some of them might go back to the rural areas to practice, with the possibility of providing affordable eye care services and eliminating costs of transportation. Success and happiness in a given career are often defined in terms of monetary wealth and recognition. This view is reflected by responses in this study as 94% of the respondents indicated that the potential to earn a good income was a very important factor in their decision to choose optometry as a career. Also, the conditions of service are important factors in choosing a career. The majority (89%) of respondents in this study indicated that flexible working hours, the ability to use their own initiative, status and prestige of the profession (95.8%) were important factors in their choice of optometry. The perception on flexible hours and independence could have been influenced by the fact that most optometrists in India are in private practice and therefore, do not work irregular hours including holidays unlike the nurses who work mainly in the public sector, and therefore have to work in shifts, including holidays. A similar finding was reported by Lambert et al(8), who found that the majority of newly qualified doctors who chose ophthalmology as a career cited the prospect of good working hours and conditions as being important factors. Similarly, in a study by Noble(9), ophthalmologists cited flexibility, mentorship and earning potential as important factors in their decision to pursue a career in ophthalmology.
While there may be minor differences in the admission requirements of optometry depart- ments in India the entry requirements into the optometry degree are generally higher compared to some other degrees. Also, a good academic record with good marks in physical science and mathematics are required to enter optometry programmes. It is therefore not surprising that many respondents (89.75%) rated subjects passed and points obtained in matriculation as very important factors in choosing optometry. A large proportion of the respondents (89.6%) rated treatment received from an optometrist as important in their decision of career choice. An inference of this could be that exposure to the profession through receiving treatment or working with an optometrist are important factors. This view is supported by the fact that almost two-thirds (73.4%) rated the association with an optometrist as important. This finding is similar to those of Jones and Larke (10), who found that past experience with professionals from the field of agriculture, seemed to increase students’ interest in that career. Similarly, Ramsey et al (11) and Setout et al (12) reported that medical students were influenced to choose a career in medicine after participating in health care and clinical institutions. It is therefore, necessary for practicing optometrists to continue to offer quality services with good ethos.
These will further enhance the image of the profession and attract students into optometry programmes.
Marketing is an important medium of promoting an organization and its activities. Perhaps the most common method of creating awareness of institutions and departments in India is the PTM day or induction day, generally called Parents Teacher Meeting day, during which high school learners’ parents are invited to schools and universities and information regarding the courses offered and career opportunities are given to them. Also, admission requirements and fee structures are explained to them. In this study, only 74.7% of the students reported that participation in induction day was important in their career choice and this factor ranked 10th (sixth from the bottom ranked factor) in the order of importance. This brings up issues about the adequacy of promoting techniques, for example, profession days that are attempted by the colleges for projects like optometry. Another common method of marketing institutions and programmes is via the media. Many of the respondents (23.6%) rated influence from friend as
“not important” in their choice of the institution of learning. Therefore, institutions offering optometry need to find additional innovative ways to raise awareness campaigns, particularly in rural areas and provinces where there are no universities that offer the degree. Noteworthy was the finding that neither parents nor relatives had a significant influence on career choice in optometry as only 69.2% rated this factor as important, ranking 11th of the listed factors. This result contrasts with those of Ferry et al (13) and Singaravelu et al (14) who found that family and community were instrumental and influential in career choices among high school students in Pennsylvania.
Counsellors and educators who work with high school students are therefore, advised to explore what role parents can play in their career choices and attempt to find ways of increasing positive support from parents. In addition, it may be important to explore the possible influence of teachers in the career decision-making process. Those who cannot afford university fees they may have taken loans and bursaries that cover the full costs of study. In India, and perhaps in many developing countries of the world, a large proportion of those who live in the rural areas are relatively poorer. Findings showed that knowledge of the institution of learning was 22.8% of the students rated “I have always wanted to attend this institution” as “not important”.
In our opinion, institutions offering optometry in India should consider the findings of this study and find innovative ways of using them to improve their strategies to attract prospective optometry students. (15-19)
Conclusion
This study reveals the great influence of psycho-social motivation or personal factors (such as desire to help others, using one’s own initiative, perceptions of the status and prestige of a career) in choosing optometry as a profession. Also, practical motivations such as job availability, subjects passed and points obtained in matric, the potential to earn a good salary and flexible work schedule were significant influences on career choice. On the other hand, the traditional methods of attracting prospective students such as the career or open day and media were not rated highly in this study. It is therefore, recommended that institutional marketing strategies should be extended to include other innovative strategies such as seminars where guidance counsellors and teachers become more interactive with students. Also, optometric practitioners may be invited to address students about the profession in order to create greater awareness. It is suggested that universities offering optometry degree should increase their awareness campaigns in high schools located in provinces where there are no universities that offer the optometry degree. This can be done through developing collaborative career aware-
ness programmes and recruitment efforts between optometry departments and high schools located in such provinces.
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