24 January 2025
The General Optical Council (GOC) is launching an in-depth research project exploring the experiences of registrants who have practised in challenging working conditions.
The research is a direct response to findings reported in its 2024 Registrant workforce and perceptions survey.
Published in July last year, 42% of the survey’s 4575 respondents said they had experienced harassment, bullying or abuse from patients and service users in the last 12 months. Furthermore, 18% said they had experiences of harassment, bullying or abuse from colleagues.
The GOC now wants to better understand how the optical regulator, alongside the wider optical sector, can support registrants, “and tackle these types of behaviours.”
“We know that negative working environments not only impact on the health and wellbeing of registrants, but also on their ability to deliver safe patient care,” the GOC told OT.
Through the research, the GOC is calling for registrants to take part in qualitative research led by external agency, Explain Research, during February and March.
Speaking to OT about the research, GOC head of strategy, policy and standards, Charlotte Urwin, shared: “The aim of the research is to build on the findings from theGOC’s annual registrant survey, which shows that some registrants are experiencing challenging working conditions such as bullying, harassment, abuse and discrimination at work. Some groups of registrants are also more likely to experience these behaviours – females, those from an ethnic minority background and those with a disability. We want to get a deeper insight into the ‘lived experiences’ of these registrants so we can better help support them and tackle these types of behaviours in the workplace.”
The research company aims to talk to at least 38 registrants who have recently experienced bullying, harassment, abuse or discrimination at work. It hopes to talk to both registered optometrists and dispensing opticians.
“We are interested in hearing from anyone who has experienced these difficult circumstances at work but would be particularly interested to hear from you if you identify with any of the following – are female, have a disability, or are from an ethnic minority background,” Claire Cooke, senior insight manager at Explain Research told OT.
Explain Research and the GOC confirmed that all feedback provided in interviews will be confidential and anonymous, and the findings will be collated and presented in a way that ensures individuals are not identifiable.
Interviews will be performed online and will last around an hour.Those who complete the interviews will be gifted £70 for the participation.
If you are happy to take part in the GOC’s research, click on this link.
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