Perception of Optometrists on Causes of Professional Discordance Among Eye Care Professionals and Its Impact on Refractive Error Service Delivery in Kenya

Purpose: To evaluate the perception of optometrists on causes of professional discordance among eye care professionals and its impact on refractive error service delivery in Kenya.

Methods: This was a prospective qualitative case study conducted between January and June 2022 among optometrists registered with the Optometrists Association of Kenya. The data was collected through telephonic interviews. Purposive sampling was used to recruit the participants. Descriptive statistics were presented using frequency, percentages and with p values. Thematic analysis was carried out for qualitative data using the NVivo Software, Version 11. It was an iterative process consisting of both deductive and inductive processes.

Results: Out of the 100 respondents, 37 (37%) were female. The mean age for the participants was 30.5 years with majority being in the age group 30-34 years. There was no statistically significant difference between the ages of males and females (p = 0.132) Most participants 82 (82%) had practiced for more than 4 years. The participants reported; mistrust among eye care professionals, employment sector, specialty, undermining the potential of other cadres within the eye care ecosystem, confusion and misconception and negative attitude as the perception of optometrists on causes of professional discordance among eye care professionals on refractive error service delivery. All of the optometrists agreed that professional discordance exists among eye care professionals in Kenya which potentially impacts negatively on refractive error service delivery.

Conclusion: Professional discordance remains an underrated barrier which negatively impacts on refractive error service delivery. However, to achieve effective refractive error coverage, a strengthened team approach among eye care professionals is desirable in a country with limited human resource such as Kenya.