Understanding the Characteristics of Patients Seeking Optometric Care

Background: This study will attempt to understand, through a regression analysis, the
characteristics of patients who seek optometric care. Its goal is twofold. First, it will
potentially allow us to better see how disparities can be made smaller. Also, it will allow
optometry to direct practice growth programs to where they will have the greatest impact.
Methods: This study will use data from the medical expenditure panel survey (MEPS).
A regression analysis using P ASW Statistics 18 statistical software will be used. This
data set will include all patients in the survey who visited an optometrist in 2007, the
newest set publicly available. A level of a = .05 will be used to determine the statistical
significance of all variables included. Results: The variable that has the greatest effect on a patient visiting an optometrist is the patient's health insurance status. Unexpectedly, patients wearing a correction whether spectacles or contact lenses are no more likely to visit an optometrist, other things equal. Conclusions: The results of the analysis will allow the optometrist to better fulfill the role as a primary health care provider. This will be accomplished by determining the characteristics of areas of the population that may be underutilizing optometric care. Once the characteristics are better understood, optometry can target efforts in public health and practice growth even more efficiently. This will be able to be done since the characteristics that cause the biggest effect on whether a patient seeks optometric care will be identified.