Performance Improvement 2006. Identification of Variables that Influence Access to Eye Care

Representatives from 10 government agencies and non-government organizations were interviewed to gather information about factors that influence the receipt of health care, in particular care that may prevent vision loss. The purpose of this research was to identify barriers to care and to determine best practices and strategies used by other agencies and organizations to deal with those barriers. A literature review was conducted to provide a framework for this research and guide the development of the discussion protocol. The majority of agencies and organizations primarily offer services and programs that are characterized as prevention/screening and education. Those programs and services tend to focus on high-risk target populations by increasing awareness about the importance of early detection and treatment of illness, and by encouraging people to take action based on their increased awareness.

However, representatives from a number of agencies and organizations indicated that they did not have any programs or services directly related to eye care services. This research gathered information about barriers to receiving health and eye care and strategies and approaches to effectively deal with those barriers. The National Eye Health Education Program (NEHEP), coordinated by the National Eye Institute (NEI), would then use these strategies to better design educational materials and programs and collaborate with other government agencies and non-government organizations that specifically address access-to-care issues.