• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.398-404
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• 2010

Purpose: Concerns had been voiced about an oversupply of optometrists in Korea. So, this study aimed to forecast the supply and demand for opticians for policy implications. Methods: Baseline Projection model combined with demographic method was adopted as the supply forecasting method and so was a ratio method using the number of physician and population using weight of healthcare utilization. Results: Under the 'physician to optician ratio', there would be a surplus of 83~700 opticians in 2010 and an undersupply of 15 to surplus of 6,118 opticians in 2025. Under the 'population to optician ratio', there would be a surplus of 1,055 opticians in 2010 and surplus of 9,376 opticians in 2025. Conclusions: We concluded that there would be oversupply for opticians until 2025, although the shortage and surplus of opticians might depend on the ratio's criteria. Hence, policies would need to be developed that could solve the imbalance in requirements and supply for opticians.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2010

Purpose: We have studied the problems associated with increased number of ophthalmic optics students and its effects on the supply and demand of optician. Methods: We collected data from Education Statistics, a white paper of Minister for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs, academyinfo web site and University (College) web site. Results: We forecasted an estimate for supply and demand of optician using the entrance number of ophthalmic optics. Conclusions: The numbers of produced optician are in excessive supply. The excessive supply of optician can contribute towards worsening working conditions and lower job satisfaction of an optician. Therefore this can result infrequent turn over of jobs within the same field and migration into the different field of areas. To solve these problems, we will need to act with the manpower policy of government by gathering the voices of the related optician agencies. Then expansion of job domain, improvement of quality level, the improvement of the working conditions for optician can be accomplished by the unification of university system and reduction of entrance numbers for department of ophthalmic optics.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.9-14
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• 2007

We have studied the problems associated with increasing number of ophthalmic optics students every year. The main problems are surplus supply of the optometrist and poor working condition. Thus all parties concerned who aim to solve the numerical unbalance of optometrist must have the common policy in sight. And we have to make a long-term plan and permanent organization for medical technician to establish supply and demand of medical technician with exact policy. To solve this unbalance of optometrist numbers, we have to establish an exact job category, reform the specialized education course, estimate the practical technique of national licensing examination for Korean optometrist, and innovate the contents and methods of reeducation.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.25-30
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• 2008

Purpose: In this paper, we have analyzed the problems of the Oh's report which is used to the basic data for supply and demand of medical technicians and studied a proposal for improvement to control system and supply and demand of korean optometrists. Methods: We have analyzed errors of Oh's report including supply and demand for medical technicians and management policy, expecting number for future optician, inaccurate estimation by limited data (employment rate, retirement rate, mortality rate) and an incorrect method of measurement for future supply and demand. Results: Oh's report showed the 18% error for estimation of supply which exclude the irregular entrance students. The estimation of supply was calculated by graduation rate 62.6% (college and University of Technology are 78.9% and 85.98% respectively), employment rate 65.8% (the average employment between 2002 and 2007 is 73.96%) and retirement rate is 2.3% (the retirement of pharmacists is 1.3%) but it showed the significant differences to objective data. For estimate the suitable ratio of optometrists to the population, the ratio use of medical facilities by an age group was used, and suggested spectacle wearers 1,280 persons (populations 2,928 persons) per optometrist but the different from reference of Germany (4,706 persons), America (1,789 persons) and Korea (1,825 persons/an optometrist) are applied to estimation on supply. This report applied the low employment rate and argued that maintain the present situation, but claimed that utilize unemployment persons. The above result has induced double weighting effect on estimation of supply. Conclusions: To solve the related problems of supply and demand, we have to make a search for exact data and optimum application model, have to take an example of nation similar job category as Germany and the research result of the job satisfaction into consideration. After we get the integrated research result, we must carried out the policy with fairness and balance for the estimation of supply and demand. Therefore exact research is required prior to beginning policy establishment, government and related group have to make a clear long-term plan and permanent organization for medical technician to establish supply and demand of medical technician.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2010

Purpose: In this paper, we have dealt with problems and the improvement proposals of FTC (FAIR TRADE COMMISSION) report which insist on relaxed entry regulation for an optical shop. Methods: We analyzed each content of the FTC (FAIR TRADE COMMISSION) report which argue relaxed entry regulation for an optical shop. Results: At present, the supply of optician and optical shop are already saturated, the overseas cases cited would not be in accord with our reality. The reform of policy must take precedence in order to carry out the policy. A delicate balancing act is needed in order to satisfy both the government's and optician's needs. Conclusions: At this point, it is premature to carry out the relaxed entry regulation, this policy should be looked from a long-term point of view.