2018 Membership Survey Report

IACLE members set the agenda for the future of contact lens education

More than nine in 10 IACLE members (92%) are extremely or very likely to recommend other contact lens educators to join, and providing the resources needed to teach contact lenses is seen as the number one benefit of membership.

That’s according to the findings of the 2018 IACLE Membership Survey, released this month.

Tools for assessing students’ practical skills, raising awareness of contact lenses and how to use technology in teaching are top of members’ wish lists for IACLE to provide in future.

A total of 300 contact lens educators in 48 countries took part in the survey in March 2018, representing a response rate of 36%. The highest number of responses was from the Asia Pacific region (62%), followed by Europe/Africa – Middle East (22%) and Americas (16%).

The findings will be discussed by IACLE’s Executive Board during a special Strategic Planning Meeting at the Academy 2018 meeting in San Antonio, Texas, USA on 6 November.

The New IACLE Contact Lens Course is the most used of IACLE Resources, rated highest for satisfaction and most important	Standard student assessment forms for practical examinations / clinics are the most popular future IACLE Resources
The Fellowship scheme, Distance Learning Program and Student Trial Exam are the IACLE Programs considered most important	Among potential future IACLE Programs, a contact lens awareness campaign / event is the most popular option
Educator Meetings are the IACLE Events most likely to have been attended and World Congresses are considered most important	How to use technology in teaching is the most popular topic for future IACLE events, and members want more Educator Meetings
Collaboration with contact lens educators in other institutions / countries is the type of IACLE Support members would most like to see in future

Members supplied more than 130 email addresses for colleagues who would be willing to be contacted about joining IACLE. And more than 60 members provided further comments and suggestions on IACLE activities, showing a high level of engagement with IACLE as well as the value of membership.

Commenting on the survey results, IACLE President Dr Shehzad Naroo said: ‘This is our largest and most comprehensive membership survey in recent times. The findings confirm the impact IACLE has on its members and the value they place on the support we provide. The survey also reveals the direction we should be heading to equip the contact lens educators – and practitioners – of the future.

‘We’re extremely grateful for the continuing support of our industry partners in helping us to meet the needs of educators and students worldwide.’

Further analysis will determine differences in use of and attitudes to IACLE activities in different regions and countries, in order to respond to specific needs around the world.

Read the full Membership Survey report here.

E:  iacle@iacle.org
W: www.iacle.org

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