The optometrists' view of site selection.

Numerous studies have attemted to describe and to explain the maldistribution of physicians, yet few studies have attempted to explain the distribution of other health care personnel. Knowledge of the factors involved in the locational decision of relatively facility-free optometric practitioners offers excellent research opportunities for social scientists and holds forth promise for state and regional optometric associations concerned with attracting qualified optometrists. This study focuses on the impact of homestate and age on the decision to locate an optometric practice both in a state and in a community. In a survey of North Carolina optometrists the impact of homesite was found to be a significant factor in the locational decision. In addition, optometrists under 35 years of age were found to exhibit different locational preferences from their older counterparts.