The dire need for eye care services and a dearth of human resources (HR) in sub-Saharan Africa motivated the setting up of new optometry programmes. However, to make a meaningful impact, geographical, gender, economic and educational disparities must additionally be addressed. A qualitative study utilizing purposive sampling to select academic…

The agencies most directly involved with accreditation of optometry programs and their different roles in the process and outcomes of accreditation are discussed briefly. Relationships between the agencies are also noted. (MSE)

This article discusses barriers to development of a system of community-based clinical training sites for optometric residencies (concerns about costs, program quality, sufficient patient care experiences, meeting accreditation standards); ways to overcome them; benefits of community-based residencies; and the role of the Association of Schools…

The procedures of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry's Office of External Educational Programs are reviewed to show how quality assurance techniques can be categorized. The format was designed to evaluate quality assurance procedures for both the educational and service aspects of eye care. (MLW)

The clinical education program at Ferris State College, College of Optometry, and the various clinics affiliated with the college are described. To ensure quality, all individuals with the responsibility of teaching the students are faculty of Ferris State. (MLW)

The impetus and focus of quality improvement efforts in higher education are examined, and a corporate grant program supporting the use of total quality management strategies in optometric education is described. Subsequent articles on grant-supported projects are previewed. (MSE)

The detrimental effect of evaluating college teachers with student ratings of their performance is illustrated. The author found that he could raise his ratings by reducing the quality of his teaching and concentrating on the improvement of morale among his optometry students at the University of California at Berkeley. (JMD)

Issues of quality in clinical education that have emerged in the evaluation of colleges of optometry according to new Council on Optometric Education standards are reviewed. Specific standards and problems are cited, and common areas of weakness are summarized. (MSE)

A New England College of Optometry (Massachusetts) faculty development program for clinical preceptors provides a forum for administration and clinical faculty to address problems in clinical education and to increase communication between affiliated faculty, program coordinators, and students. The on-site conferences have demonstrated significant…

Factors supporting excellence in optometric residency programs are discussed, including initial student contact and orientation, instructional quality, teacher as resource, student quality, admission procedures, curriculum design, levels of clinical training, resources that expand the resident's experience, stature of the program within the…

Clinical optometric education is in flux. It must meet the challenges of advances in bioscience, newer diagnostic and therapeutic modalities, a changing health care environment, and interdisciplinary learning for problem solving; engender social responsibility; promote good provider-patient relations; stress primary care; and emphasize prevention.…