General
Domains: Professionalism, Leadership & Accountability
No CPD Points
Welcome to Sound Optometry, a podcast from Docet hosted by Michelle Hanratty, an IP optometrist with over 20 years’ experience in both high street and hospital settings. Each month, through case studies and in-depth conversations, we explore the topics that matter most to you as an optometrist and are relevant to everyday practice.
Episode 46 - Burnout in Optometry: Causes, challenges and solutions
A study in Australia revealed that nearly half of optometrists experience burnout, while one in three lives with a mental health condition. Many of us are familiar with workplace stress, but recognising when prolonged stress turns into burnout can be challenging. If left unaddressed, it may lead to more severe mental health issues and impact the quality of care we provide to our patients.
In this episode, Michelle Hanratty welcomes Neil Retallic, an optometrist and mental welfare researcher at the University of Bradford, who is currently conducting a major survey of optometrists in the UK and Ireland. Neil explains why stress and burnout are more prevalent in our profession than in the general population. Later, Michelle speaks with Dr Nicholas Taylor, a consultant psychiatrist, about early interventions to prevent long-term mental health issues.
An additional reading element consolidates the learning on this topic.
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First published: February 2025
Last reviewed: October 2025