Abstract
Aim: This survey was conducted to assess the current practice pattern, confidence level and felt need of further training of OTs working in various part of Eritrea.
Methods: A survey was developed and administered in all the available OTs using face to face or telephone interview. The survey instrument included questions to explore demographic details, scope of practice, confidence level in practice area and felt need for continued education.
Results: Since the beginning of the course, a total of 82 students enrolled and 63 completed the course by 2014. Out of these 63 graduate-OTs, seven are currently being deployed different vision centers and only 34 (61% of those 56 OTs already assigned to a job station) are currently working in eye health area in Eritrea. Majority of them are male (28, 82%) with the mean age of 25 years. Nearly one third of them are working in national referral hospital in Asmara (32%) and others in regional hospitals or vision centers. The OTs are involved in refraction (100%), clinical examination of patients (34%) and diagnostic units (18%) among other areas. Only two OTs are currently involved in dispensing services and three in operation theatre assistance (8%). The OTs are working on an average of 34 hours per week examining average of 15 patients per day. OTs expressed confidence in refractive procedures while poor confidence in primary care of eye diseases and dispensing procedures. All of them reported a need of refreshment training with major interest in primary management of eye disease (68%), slit lamp examination (59%), dispensing (56%) and refraction in children (50%).
Conclusion: The OTs are providing frontline eye care (especially refractive care) service in Eritrea. However, there is considerable underutilization of these OTs and their skills. With better facility, improvement in infrastructure and further education and career opportunity, these OTs can contribute further in the eye health care system of Eritrea.
Methods: A survey was developed and administered in all the available OTs using face to face or telephone interview. The survey instrument included questions to explore demographic details, scope of practice, confidence level in practice area and felt need for continued education.
Results: Since the beginning of the course, a total of 82 students enrolled and 63 completed the course by 2014. Out of these 63 graduate-OTs, seven are currently being deployed different vision centers and only 34 (61% of those 56 OTs already assigned to a job station) are currently working in eye health area in Eritrea. Majority of them are male (28, 82%) with the mean age of 25 years. Nearly one third of them are working in national referral hospital in Asmara (32%) and others in regional hospitals or vision centers. The OTs are involved in refraction (100%), clinical examination of patients (34%) and diagnostic units (18%) among other areas. Only two OTs are currently involved in dispensing services and three in operation theatre assistance (8%). The OTs are working on an average of 34 hours per week examining average of 15 patients per day. OTs expressed confidence in refractive procedures while poor confidence in primary care of eye diseases and dispensing procedures. All of them reported a need of refreshment training with major interest in primary management of eye disease (68%), slit lamp examination (59%), dispensing (56%) and refraction in children (50%).
Conclusion: The OTs are providing frontline eye care (especially refractive care) service in Eritrea. However, there is considerable underutilization of these OTs and their skills. With better facility, improvement in infrastructure and further education and career opportunity, these OTs can contribute further in the eye health care system of Eritrea.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 2015 |
| Externally published | Yes |
| Event | American Academy of Optometry Annual Meeting 2015 - New Orleans, United States Duration: 7 Oct 2015 → 10 Oct 2015 |
Conference
| Conference | American Academy of Optometry Annual Meeting 2015 |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | United States |
| City | New Orleans |
| Period | 7/10/15 → 10/10/15 |