The Impact of Ophthalmic Technicians on Outpatients Eye Care. Executive Summary

摘要

This study assesses the efficiency and proficiency of Ophthalmic Medical Assistants (OMAs) and evaluates their acceptance by physicians and patients. Multiple examinations of patients were conducted by the technicians, ophthalmology residents, and a faculty opthalmologist. A digital computer simulation model of eye clinic provider patterns was developed and validated against actual performance. Experiments run with the simulation indicate the effect of various staffing patterns and skill inventories on patient waiting time, patient care time, and personnel utilization. A survey of 264 Florida ophthalmologists revealed that 70 percent employ one or more OMAs and they expressed a high overall satisfaction with OMAs' performance. A survey of 181 patients elicited satisfaction with the visit, the doctor and the OMA regardless of whether the tasks they performed were limited or expanded functions.