Stolee Paul, McKillop Ian, McMurray Josephine, Strong J Graham, Jones Deborah A, Hildebrand Jenna M
Department of Health Studies and Gerontology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
Optometry. 2011 Mar;82(3):166-74. doi: 10.1016/j.optm.2010.07.031. Epub 2010 Dec 13.
While information technology (IT) is playing an increasing role in the delivery of optometric services, little specific information is available about how IT is changing the practice of optometry in Canada or whether optometry schools are adequately preparing their students to use this technology when they graduate.
Quantitative data on how IT is being used, as well as related barriers and potential benefits, were obtained in a survey of Canadian optometrists (N = 474). Three site visits were made to geographically dispersed Canadian optometry practices identified as exemplars of IT adoption.
More than 96% of Canadian optometrists use computers in their practices, but fewer have integrated computers into their examination rooms. Optometrists are regularly using computers to manage their practices and medical record keeping. The automated perimeter is the clinical assessment technology most used (88.4%), followed by the autorefractor (83.9%) and the autokeratometer (72.2%). The anterior segment camera is the technology most likely to be acquired within the next 5 years (36.9%), followed by the scanning laser ophthalmoscope (26.8%). Major benefits of IT for optometrists include being better able to provide patients with images and information to explain results and to inspire greater patient confidence that the practice is state of the art. Perceived barriers include the need for frequent updates, lack of resources for training, and cost. There is support for increased exposure to IT as part of training in optometry.
Use of IT in optometry practices is widespread and likely to continue to increase in the years ahead. IT may be a key element in the future success of optometry practices in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Perceptions of high investment and training costs are barriers to further adoption. Optometrists may benefit from increased exposure to IT as part of their training.
尽管信息技术（IT）在验光服务的提供中发挥着越来越重要的作用，但关于IT如何改变加拿大验光实践，或者验光学校是否在学生毕业时充分准备好让他们使用这项技术，几乎没有具体信息。
通过对加拿大验光师（N = 474）的调查，获取了关于IT使用方式以及相关障碍和潜在益处的定量数据。对加拿大各地被视为IT采用典范的验光实践进行了三次实地考察。
超过96%的加拿大验光师在其实践中使用计算机，但将计算机集成到检查室的较少。验光师经常使用计算机来管理其实践和保存病历。自动视野计是使用最多的临床评估技术（88.4%），其次是自动验光仪（83.9%）和自动角膜曲率计（72.2%）。眼前节相机是未来5年内最有可能购置的技术（36.9%），其次是扫描激光检眼镜（26.8%）。IT对验光师的主要好处包括能够更好地为患者提供图像和信息以解释检查结果，并激发患者对该实践处于先进水平的更大信心。感知到的障碍包括需要频繁更新、缺乏培训资源和成本。作为验光培训的一部分，支持增加对IT的接触。
IT在验光实践中的使用很普遍，并且在未来几年可能会继续增加。在竞争日益激烈的市场中，IT可能是验光实践未来成功的关键因素。对高投资和培训成本的认知是进一步采用的障碍。验光师作为培训的一部分增加对IT的接触可能会受益。
