2015 APHA Annual Meeting & Expo

Home Events & Meetings Annual Meeting Schedule & Program

Recorded Annual Meeting Presentations (RAMP) are now available for purchase.
Only $90 for presenters, $140 for registered attendees and $200 for non-attendees.

Online Program

323086
Use of Acupuncture and Complementary and Alternative Medicine by Optometrists and Patients at a University Based Eye Clinic


Monday, November 2, 2015

Mort Soroka, PhD, Center for Vision Care Policy, State University of New York College of Optometry, New York, NY
More than 40% of Americans use Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) services for a wide range of conditions including eye disease and disorders. Optometrists should be aware that their patients may be using alternative therapies and should be prepared to advise and counsel their patients. It is important that future practitioners learn about different modalities; those that may be effective and those that are unproven.  This study surveys faculty members, students and practicing clinicians as to their knowledge of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, specifically acupuncture, herbal medicine, natural health products, vitamins and minerals and its role in the treatment of eye conditions. Patients who come to the University Eye Center will be administered a survey as to their use of any CAM services. A select number of practicing optometrists within the New York metropolitan area will also be asked to complete a survey on their knowledge, use and referrals if any to CAM providers

Learning Areas:

Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Diversity and culture

Learning Objectives:
Assess whether clinical faculty and optometry students are aware of CAM services and their use for eye conditions Describe what therapies are employed by these groups and the frequency of use Describe the use of CAM services for eye care services among patients attending a teaching eye care clinic

Keyword(s): Alternative and Complementary Health, Health Care Delivery

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: As a Professor of Health Care Policy at the State University of New York and the Director of the Center for Vision Care Policy I have conducted health services research for the past 35 years.I have authored 75 papers on health care. I also served as a consultant to the managed care industry and have been a member of multiple task forces and committees dealing with eye care delivery within the U.S.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3112.0: Poster Session