RAND Health Abstract

Measurement of Physiologic Health for Children: Volume 4, Vision Impairments.

Rubenstein RS, Lohr KN, Brook RH, Goldberg GA, Kamberg CJ. R-2898/4-HHS, 1985.

This report is part of a large-scale social study, the Health Insurance Experiment (HIE), to assess how varying a patient's cost of health services affects his or her use of services, quality of care, patient satisfaction, and health status. It analyzes data from enrollment into the study on the prevalence of vision problems and their reported impact on children's lives. It discusses the definition of impaired vision and reviews measurement issues; and considers why vision impairment is an appropriate health status measure in terms of its prevalence, its effect on children's lives, and its response to medical care. It includes the HIE definition of impaired vision and a detailed description of HIE methods for measuring the prevalence and effect of vision deficits. It presents results of the HIE enrollment procedures at the six participating sites (Dayton, Ohio; Seattle, Washington; Franklin County and Fitchburg, Massachusetts; and Georgetown County and Charleston, South Carolina), and HIE quality-of-care criteria.