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Biomedical subjects

Mort Soroka

Publications and source records attributed to Mort Soroka.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

The practice of optometry: National Board of Examiners in Optometry survey of optometric patients.

PURPOSE: A study commissioned by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry was designed to obtain information about patients seen in general practice. METHODS: Providers completed an encounter form for patients seen during a 2-day sample. Data were obtained from 11,012 patients in rural, urban, and suburban environments from a diverse population of 480 optometrists representative of profession-wide practitioners in terms of geographic distribution and practice settings. Although practitioners were selected randomly, the response rate among those who were invited to participate was only 17.7%. Optometrists who specialized and did not classify themselves as general practitioners were excluded from the study. RESULTS: The study provides insights into the most common diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed, medications prescribed, and referrals made in general practices. Seventy-one percent of all examinations were categorized as comprehensive, approximately 13% were because of disease, and 11% were for contact lens care. Almost 17% of all patients received a formal visual field test (Goldmann or automated). Refractive error was the most prevalent diagnosis, reflective of the ocular problems found in the general population, and systemic conditions were the second largest category. Although 12% of all patients were referred to an ophthalmologist for further care, other types of referrals were infrequent. Referrals to a primary care physician, laboratory, and imaging or for refractive surgery accounted for only 8% of all referrals. CONCLUSION: Ocular disease treatment was found to be an integral part of the optometrist's practice. Prescribing topical medications, both legend and "over-the-counter," was a primary treatment option. The most common medications prescribed were for glaucoma, with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy drops making up the remainder, in descending order.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

The practice of optometry: National Board of Examiners in Optometry survey of optometric patients.

PURPOSE: A study commissioned by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry was designed to obtain information about patients seen in general practice. METHODS: Providers completed an encounter form for patients seen during a 2-day sample. Data were obtained from 11,012 patients in rural, urban, and suburban environments from a diverse population of 480 optometrists representative of profession-wide practitioners in terms of geographic distribution and practice settings. Although practitioners were randomly selected, the response rate among those who were invited to participate was only 17.7%. Optometrists who specialized and did not classify themselves as general practitioners were excluded from the study. RESULTS: The study provides insights into the most common diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed, medications prescribed, and referrals made in general practices. Seventy-one percent of all examinations were categorized as comprehensive eye examinations, approximately 13% the result of disease, and 11% was for contact lens care. Almost 17% of all patients received a formal visual field test (Goldmann or automated). Refractive error was the most prevalent diagnosis reflective of the ocular problems found in the general population and systemic conditions were the second largest category. Although 12% of all patients were referred to an ophthalmologist for further care, other types of referrals were infrequent. Referrals to a primary care physician, laboratory, and imaging or for refractive surgery accounted for only 8% of all referrals. CONCLUSION: Ocular disease treatment was found to be an integral part of the optometrist's practice. Prescribing topical medications, both legend and "over the counter," was a primary treatment option. The most common medications prescribed were for glaucoma, with antibiotics, antiinflammatory, and antiallergy drops making up the remainder in descending order.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Optometry in a hospital setting.

This study was designed to determine the extent to which optometry has been integrated within the hospital delivery system in New York State and to determine the types of services rendered by optometrists in governmental and non-governmental hospitals. A survey was developed and sent to all hospitals in the State to assess which hospitals provided eye care and whether optometrists were on staff. The number of optometrists affiliated with a hospital has increased from 27% in 1978 to 43% in 2003. Virtually all (90%) of city, county, and federal government hospitals used optometrists as compared to 32% of voluntary hospitals. Optometrists were found to provide a full range of medical ocular services including treatment. Given the cost savings of using optometrists, hospitals should consider integrating this profession into their primary eye care services.

Diagnostic Services↗
PubMed2005

Optometry within hospitals at the Veterans Administration.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to determine the use of optometrists with the Veterans Health Administration hospital system and to develop accurate statistics regarding the number and type of services these doctors provide. The findings help describe their responsibilities in the treatment and management of ocular diseases and their use of diagnostic and therapeutic drugs. The study also investigated what, if any, role optometrists play beyond care in the education and research practices of the hospital. METHODS: A descriptive analysis was conducted through the use of surveys and interviews of department chiefs or medical directors. A survey was sent out to 149 Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospitals, located using the VA facility locator Web site. Data were tabulated, aggregated, and analyzed. RESULTS: A response rate of 81% was achieved (122 surveys returned), 98% of which (120 facilities) provide eye services to their patients in either an outpatient or inpatient capacity. One hundred seventeen (98%) of these had optometrists affiliated with their facility. These optometrists were responsible for providing a range of services, prescribing the use of diagnostic or therapeutic drugs, and participating in educational training of other health personnel. CONCLUSION: Optometry has developed a strong partnership with the Veterans Health Administration, and act as an integral part of its hospital services. The VA has developed a workforce mix that should serve as a model for managed care organizations.

Health Services Research↗
PubMed2005

Patient satisfaction with LASIK surgery in New York State.

The purpose of this paper is to provide a descriptive analysis of patients who have recently undergone laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery in New York State and record the level of patient satisfaction with perceived visual outcome. A survey was mailed to 230 members of a vision care benefits plan. The questionnaire focused on five specific areas: (I) motivation, (2) satisfaction, (3) functional outcome, (4) postsurgical experience, and (5) out-of-pocket expenditures. Patients were at least three months postsurgery and had undergone surgery between September 2002 and August 2003. One hundred sixty-five (72%) surveys were received. An average overall "experience" score of 8.9 out of 10 ten was recorded. Average out-of-pocket expenses exceeded 1600 dollars despite an insurance coverage of 200 dollars per eye plus a 25% discount for using network ophthalmic surgeons. With growing competition among physicians performing LASIK surgery, the effort to find more patients intensifies. However, as the majority of those surveyed selected their surgeon based on reputation or referral, it is essential that physicians be vigilant in choosing their cases and cognizant of the importance of patient satisfaction.

Humans↗
PubMed2003

Alternative arrangements for the delivery of eye care services within staff model managed care organizations.

BACKGROUND: Eye care services, though accounting for only a small fraction of healthcare costs, encompass a unique spectrum of professional staffing options that can enhance efficiency and decrease costs within staff model managed care organizations. METHODS: This study was designed to describe and assess alternative staffing arrangements and cost implications for the delivery of eye care services by optometrists, ophthalmologists, and primary care physicians within staff model managed care organizations. The clinical records of individual patients--rather than administrative and billing files--at three managed care organizations are the principal source of information. Clinical auditors extracted data on ambulatory eye care services provided for conjunctivitis, corneal abrasion/erosion, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. RESULTS: Our findings document the substantial role optometrists play in the delivery of eye care, whether they provide the care independently or in collaboration with an ophthalmologist. The levels of remuneration for optometrists are roughly one third to one half the annual rate for ophthalmologists. Staffing arrangements that use optometrists to the full extent of their professional training can provide significant cost savings. CONCLUSIONS: The cost-effectiveness of using the services of optometrists capable of delivering high-quality eye care can be demonstrated. Potential cost savings for staff model managed care organizations may accrue if the roles, functions, and availability of eye providers are adjusted.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed2002

Vision care benefits and outcomes of treatment of keratoconus.

Coverage for basic vision care services is offered by a number of national and regional vision care networks. When eyewear is covered, cosmetic contact lenses are usually provided in lieu of glasses. There are a few disorders for which contact lenses are prescribed for a "medically necessary" condition; keratoconus is an example. Some plans provide full benefits for noncosmetic contact lenses for the treatment of keratoconus, and outcomes measures have demonstrated that visual improvement has been excellent. Evidence of the vision benefit offered to those with keratoconus is found in patient-satisfaction surveys, which provide self-reports of improvements in near and distance vision.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Quality-of-care review of optometric records: inter-rater reliability.

As managed care organizations (MCOs) move into the realm of vision care, the issue of quality measurement has grown in relevance. This article assesses the inter-rater reliability of a medical record review instrument of a managed vision care plan. This study attempts to duplicate the continuous quality improvement initiative set forth by these MCOs. Twenty examiners, using the review instrument developed by the respective MCO, independently rated the records of 29 patients. Although the reviewers rated more than 86% of all records similarly, statistical analysis and further investigation deemed the instrument inconsistent and thus unreliable in its measurement.

Data Interpretation, Statistical↗