Building the eye care team

Eye care services are people intensive. They require the right people (competence), in the right numbers (capacity), in the right mix (team) with the right resources and processes (enabling conditions) to ensure effective and sustainable delivery of patient care. To be effective, the team should have the right mix of ophthalmologists, ophthalmic assistants, administrative staff and support staff. It is important for each team member to be clear about what is expected of them and how their tasks relate to the overall purpose of the organisation that employs them. Building an effective workforce is a continuous journey. Inadequate staff numbers, lack of competency, and low motivation and productivity are common challenges. In our experience, however, systematically addressing all of the following areas contributes to success.