Attitude of Optometry Students towards Their Field of Study and Job Prospects

Abstract Background and Objective: In general, understanding and willingness to act toward a certain thing is called the attitude toward that thing. Individuals’ attitudes change in different periods of life according to their environment. One of the stages of life that has the most change of attitude and interest is the period of studying. This research was conducted to survey the attitude of optometric students about their field of study. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was performed on all optometric undergraduate students at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences using a census method in the academic year of 2016-2017. Of the total of 88 students, 2 of them did not respond to the questionnaire. The data on a total of 86 people were gathered. The data gathering method was a questionnaire which had been evaluated for reliability and validity. Questionnaire questions were scored based on three-point Likert scale. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 22 using descriptive statistics (frequency distribution, mean and standard deviation) and analytical test (Kolmogorov-Smirnov). Results: The mean and standard deviation of students' attitude to their academic field was 2.35±0.319. The mean score of students' attitude to the field of study with a probability of 95% was between 2.05 and 2.65 (out of 3); therefore, attitude towards the academic field was statistically positive. Also, the mean and standard deviation of students' attitudes toward job prospects was 2.45±0.319. The mean of the student's attitude towards job prospects with a probability of 95% was between 2.24 and 2.66, indicating a positive attitude of the students towards their job prospects. In a pilot study of the meaning of the student's attitude score, in response to a question surveying their attitude towards their field of study scoring from 1 to 10, a score of 8 was obtained. Conclusion: According to the results of the study, the majority of students had a positive attitude towards their academic field. These results can make the policy makers' attitudes more realistic to develop methods that enhance the professional, scientific and motivation of these students.