Recommendations for a program in rehabilitative optometry include discussion of its need, development of the plan, and competency objectives and their relationship to practice. Also discussed is a plan for program implementation, including organizational and administrative considerations, required resources, residencies, and curriculum goals. (MSE)

The article compares health care costs, insurance claims paid to practitioners, distribution of health care costs, numbers and ratios of practitioners, infant and neonatal mortality rates, for-profit organizations, underserved groups, technology, quality control, cure vs. care, prevention, and specific health care problems in the United States and…

A survey of 379 students in a private optometry college found that the students averaged 25.4 years of age, women students spent the majority of their early years in larger communities, and the educational levels of their parents were higher than those of men students. (MSE)

Controversy over the issue of drug licensure for optometrists is discussed. A study to analyze optometrists in terms of academic qualifications as compared to clinicians currently licensed to use pharmaceuticals is described. (MLW)

Characteristics of student enrollment and financial aid, extracted from the annual survey of optometric educational institutions conducted by the Council on Optometric Education, are reported. Student characteristics such as educational background, sex, minority group, and grade point average are among the data included. (Author/JMD)

An optometric clinical education workshop conducted by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry for clinical administrators and faculty is reported. Major issues were: clinical education objectives; nature and setting of clinical experience; methods, techniques and responsibilities of clinical instruction; and evaluation of student…

The Pennsylvania College of Optometry's experience in implementing problem-based learning, usually used in small classes, in a large group instructional situation in a traditional, subject-based optometric curriculum is described. Development of a modified approach, simulated patient problems, weekly quizzes, patient notes, large- and small-group…

A discussion of the financing of health professions education looks at a variety of influences, including enrollment change over the last few decades, federal involvement, growth in higher education, drops in federal and state support and the impact on costs borne by students. Possible directions are examined. (MSE)

The history and design of the optometry program at Oklahoma's Northeastern State University and the development of optometric services to serve the American Indian population are described. (MSE)

Results of a survey of U.S. and Canadian optometry programs concerning curriculum design, clinical and residency training programs, continuing education, and research projects planned or under way in geriatric optometry are presented and discussed. (MSE)

The Michael's Group Remediation System was utilized in teaching a course dealing with the optics of the eye. The system features instructor pacing, written study objectives and content materials, weekly quizzes, and remediation. This mode of presentation was judged by instructor and students as being extremely successful. (Author/JMD)

The findings of an analysis of first- through fourth-year students enrolled in the schools and colleges of optometry in 1975-76, conducted by the American Optometric Association, are discussed. Demographic, racial/ethnic background, sex distribution, socioeconomic, and financial resource characteristics of optometric students are described.…

A problem-based learning approach emphasizing problem solving and self-directed learning was designed for third-year students entering vision therapy clinic rotations. The approach's use in a clinical setting, student and faculty response, and preliminary conclusions about the approach's advantages and disadvantages are discussed. (Author/MSE)

Factors in the classroom that complement a well-designed optometry curriculum are discussed, including elements of the student-teacher relationship and the classroom environment, and guidelines are provided for evaluating the outcomes of instruction. (MSE)

A discussion of basic and clinical science teaching in optometry in the next decade looks at the changing role of primary care and specialist optometrists, the training needs of current and future faculty, recommended curriculum changes, and decision making about delivery of this training. The roles of graduate training, residencies, and…