Socioeconomic, demographic, labor, and academic characterization of optometry graduates from Universidad El Bosque in Bogotá, Colombia

Abstract

Objective: to know the socioeconomic, demographic, labor, and academic characteristics of the graduates of the Optometry Program of Universidad El Bosque, between 2013 and 2022. Methods: cross-sectional study, in which an electronic survey was sent to 365 graduates of the Optometry Program. The instrument included 54 questions on demographic, socioeconomic, labor, and postgraduate academic training variables. Results: of 190 graduates who responded to the survey, 79,7 % were female and 90,6 % were between 21 and 30 years old. 76,3 % remained single, 76,8 % did not have dependents and 81,6 % did not have children. 41,1 % lived in a family home and 40,5 % had their own vehicle. There was no statistically significant difference in the sociodemographic variables between men and women, but there was in monthly income, which, from $ 4 000 000 onwards, was more frequent in men (p = 0,0005). 22,6 % of graduates had done or were doing postgraduate studies. 96,3 % practiced the profession of optometry at that time, 69,5 % as dependents and 16,3 % as independent. The most frequent professional fields were clinical refraction (82,6 %), contactology (51,6 %) and primary eye care (50,0 %). Conclusion: almost all graduates practice the profession, especially in the care role and including not only aspects of refraction and ophthalmic optics, but also the formulation of drugs, thus showing their contribution to improve the visual and ocular health of Colombians. Additionally, their average salary is above that of other professionals in Colombia.