Table 3 Quotations ‘closed window of task substitution’

Primary care optometrists:

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As an optometrist you have done everything during your training, you have seen all the abnormalities, you have read and learned about them, and you graduated. (Respondent 14)

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Considering our experience in the TOZ project (transmural eye care), in my opinion, we are capable of providing, without any problems, part of the care for stable glaucoma patients and patients with a risk factor for glaucoma. (Respondent 15)

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We don’t see enough glaucoma patients to monitor them. Even though it can occasionally occur, I do think that we need to get more practical experience of these patients on a daily basis. If we start monitoring patients, we have to know how the eye hospital wants it to be done, how they do it, and what they exactly want to know. This can only be achieved through training. By watching glaucoma specialists at work. (Respondent 19)

Glaucoma specialists and GFU employees:

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To me, the GFU is a good system because I do have some idea of the quality being delivered. And I think that is essential to know. I am not in favour of transferring this care to optometrists who work outside of the REH, because then I'm not sure what the quality of their care will be. (Glaucoma specialist, respondent 7)

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Unfortunately, we have had quite some bad experiences with a number of primary care optometrists. A small number, but quite bad experiences. They were playing at being doctors, without having the knowledge. That’s what I’m concerned about. (Glaucoma specialist, respondent 8)

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I still see the quality of care of these optometrists on a weekly basis (TG project), and I think that this group is not suitable for monitoring these patients. I still see too many assessments, where they say, there's nothing wrong, and where I think: well there is definitely something wrong. (GFU employee, respondent 9)