Factors Affecting the Occupational View of Optometrist

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors affecting the occupational view of the optometrist by surveying general characteristics, major satisfaction, and occupational view of optometrist with optometry students. Methods : An online survey of 26 questions including general characteristics (11), professional self-concept (5), social perceptions (5), and optometrist’s professionalism (5) was conducted with 196 optometry students in Chungcheongnam-do. For the method of analysis, SPSS 18.0 statistical program was applied, and the statistical significance level was based on p<0.050. Results : It was found that major subject satisfaction (β=0.36, p<0.001) and age (β=-0.20, p=0.002) showed a significant effect on the professional self-concept. It was also found that major subject satisfaction (β=0.33, p<0.001) and age (β=-0.31, p<0.001) showed a significant effect on social perception, and major subject satisfaction (β=0.33, p<0.001) was significant for optometrist's professionalism. Conclusion : There was a significant correlation between the professional self-concept of the optometry students, social perception, and the satisfaction of the major with the optometrist’s expertise. This is a research result that shows that the higher the degree of satisfaction with the majors in the current students is, the higher the occupational awareness is. It would consider that it can be used as basic data for career guidance of the optometry students.