Assessment of Optometric Practice Management Skills Among Newly Qualified Optometrists in Nigeria’s North Central Zone

The transition from clinical training to professional practice demands competencies in practice management that extend beyond clinical knowledge. Newly qualified optometrists often enter practice without adequate preparation in areas such as record keeping, patient communication, billing, and regulatory compliance. This study assesses the practice management skills of newly qualified optometrists in Nigeria's North Central geopolitical zone, covering states including Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Niger, Nassarawa, and Kwara. A cross-sectional survey design will be employed, with 120 optometrists who have been practicing for three years or less recruited via professional registers maintained by ODORBN and the Nigerian Optometric Association. A validated structured questionnaire will assess self-reported competencies in clinical record documentation, patient scheduling, business planning, interprofessional referral, and ethical practice. Data analysis will involve descriptive statistics and ANOVA. The study anticipates that most newly qualified optometrists will report deficiencies in non-clinical practice management skills, particularly in business planning and regulatory compliance. Findings will be used to develop curriculum enhancement proposals for optometry training institutions in Nigeria and to design structured internship programs with practice management components. This research contributes to professional development discourse for Nigerian optometrists and addresses a critical gap in post-graduate preparation in the North Central zone. Keywords: practice management, newly qualified optometrists, professional development, North Central Nigeria, optometry education