Study on Current State of Continuing Education for Optician in Chungcheongnam-do

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine and analyze the current state of continuing education for opticians in Chungcheongnam-do and thereby provide baseline data needed for quality improvement of continuing education. Method: Three hundred fifty three opticians among 403 who were participated in continuing education at the branch of Chungcheongnam-do in 2017 responded to a survey. A total of 330 questionnaires excluding 23 containing negligent responses were used for the final analysis. Results: The number of males was 273 and that of females was 57, and average age was 43. The number of optical shop founders was 189 and those of employees was 141. The number of those willing to keep working at the current optical shop was 210, which is the highest number. There were significant differences in the experience of continuing education depending on gender, age, type of employment, marital status, career, and income level. Most optometrists received information in the continuing education from Korean Optometric Association, and they mostly participated in continuing education to avoid legal sanctions. They claimed that continuing education should provide state-of-the-art technology and product information more than anything else. Conclusion: Systematic continuing education management can prevent opticians from becoming uneducated attendee for long term and help to secure eye health professionals. In the future, it is necessary to constantly study on satisfaction and demands of educated attendees and make an effort to improve and develop continuing education programs.