Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to J R Scholles.
It is vital to the continued independence of optometry for its practitioners to exude professionalism. Professional principals, attitudes and ethics must be incorporated into the curriculum of optometric education at the earliest possible time and be reinforced by lesson and example throughout the educational experience.
Radial keratotomy has the potential to produce a new malpractice crisis for ophthalmology. Though the surgery is often successful in reducing myopia, there are a great many undesirable side effects. The endothelial cell loss frequently resulting from the procedure bodes long term caution.
The past two decades have seen a continuing rise in professional liability claims. Though the number of malpractice cases against optometrists is small compared to other health professionals, some of the damages awarded to the plaintiffs are sizable. This article presents a review of the kinds and frequency of claims brought against optometrists.
Attorneys are often handicapped by inadequate, illegible records in defending optometric malpractice claims. Many practitioners record only the abnormal conditions they observe, and thus in the future there may be no way to verify what tests were performed during the examination. Good records should reflect every aspect of the encounter with the patient, including history, findings (normal and abnormal), treatment, and referrals.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
As HMO's spring up throughout the country, a conflict between state and federal laws becomes evident. The traditional standards of practice by which the solo practitioner abides may no longer be enforceable against those physicians, dentists, and optometrists working in HMO's.