Mort Soroka, PhD, Trafford Crump, MPA, and Amy Bennett, MPA. State College of Optometry, State University of New York, 33 West 42 Street, New York, NY 10036, 212-780-5024, msoroka@sunyopt.edu

Workforce databases are necessary for planning purposes and enable the determination of shortages or surpluses of providers. A recent survey of optometrists however has found serious deficiencies in the profession’s databases. As the profession has no one “official” database, this study looked at the four most popular from: the American Optometrist Association, the Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry, Yellowpages.com, and the Blue Book of Optometrists. Each database has recognized deficiencies. Individual state boards of optometry were also used to substantiate entries.

After editing the databases for uniformity, the four were merged into one primary database, which was then filtered for duplicates. The result was a database of approximately 56,000 unique names and addresses from which a sample was randomly drawn and surveyed. Entries with incomplete addresses were eliminated. The study has demonstrated the inadequacy of optometric databases; over 25% of the sample has been incorrect in some fashion, including having outdated addresses, retired/deceased doctors, or expired licenses. Many of these incorrect entries should have been deleted from their respective databases as much as 20 years ago.

Optometry must work to develop a database as a priority. A reliable national database is needed to ensure the accuracy of future research concerning the profession, to properly monitor the labor supply, and to provide consumers with a resource to identify active optometrists.

Learning Objectives:

• To learn the importance and uses of a professional database.
• To understand the complexities involved in maintaining a database.
• To assess the deficiencies uncovered in existing optometric databases.

Keywords: Workforce, Vision Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.