The Veterans Administration (VA) is a primary educator of optometry students, with each college of optometry being affiliated with at least one VA hospital. Ideally, fourth-year optometry students rotate through a specific VA facility for about 12 weeks. Guidelines are designed to provide optimum care in a rich learning environment. (MSE)

Analysis of the records of all University of Missouri (St. Louis) optometry students entering 1980-88 found that, overall, undergraduate grades and the personal interview, were the most significant components of a student's entering profile in predicting performance in the first professional year, first and second professional year, four-year…

Discusses the need for education in research ethics, and outlines a course developed for the College of Optometry of the State University of New York. The ten-hour seminar course is required for graduate students. The course outline covers the objectives, processes, basic content, methods of student assessment, and instructional materials. (MSE)

A statement of the Council for Optometric Education (COE) defines and characterizes educational outcomes, outcomes assessment, and outcomes data, and explains the reasons for outcomes assessment, its relationship to curricular design, and its function in accreditation of optometry programs. Stated COE standards and expectations of optometry…

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)

Predictors of success for black freshmen entering Xavier University of Louisiana with an interest in the health professions were studied. Health professions were considered as the mainline fields of medicine, osteopathic medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, podiatry, and pharmacy. Students majoring in biology, chemistry, or…

A discussion of current changes in optometry looks at the expanding for-profit health sector, changing student characteristics and enrollment patterns, the changing scope of optometric care and technology, and the demise of professionalism and ethics. Implications for pharmaceutical education are considered. (MSE)

Demographic and professional characteristics of the University of Houston's College of Optometry's first 25 graduating classes were studied. The characteristics examined included mean age at graduation, distribution by sex, activity status, geographic distribution, ethnic background, and professional affiliation. (MLW)

A study examined the relationship between Optometry Admission Test scores and pre-optometry or undergraduate grade point average (GPA) with first and second year performance in optometry schools. The test's predictive validity was limited but significant, and comparable to those reported for other admission tests. In addition, the scores…

A study attempted to quantify risk of blood exposure in optometric clinical education by surveying optometric interns in their fourth year at the Southern California College of Optometry concerning their history of exposure or use of a needle. Results indicate blood exposure or needle use ranged from 0.95 to 18.71 per 10,000 patient encounters.…

The Optometric Center of Los Angeles provides students of the Southern California College of Optometry with an urban clinical environment that incorporates diversity, high levels of pathology, and community involvement. Through networking with outside agencies and with foundation help, the center provides a valuable educational setting for…

Examines the literature on minority experiences in optometry and other health professions, describing programs geared either toward increasing diversity or facilitating acceptance of diversity within the optometric profession, including affirmative action and other institutional support structures. (EV)

A survey of graduates of a vision training residency investigated patterns in their practice location, gender, marital status, optometry schools attended, primary mode of practice, distribution of professional time, faculty affiliations, income, and association memberships. (MSE)

The American Optometric Association's current review of procedures for accrediting optometric residencies is discussed. Reasons for the review (projected growth of programs and revised standards) are discussed, procedures currently in place for accrediting programs in osteopathy, dentistry, pharmacy, podiatry, and optometry are summarized; and…

The Argus Commission, asked to examine the interface between academic pharmacy and education programs in dentistry, optometry, and podiatry, envisioned a primary health care team and considered mechanisms for encouraging development of such teams and reducing competition. Its conclusions and recommendations are summarized here. (MSE)