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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Preoptometry and optometry school grade point average and optometry admissions test scores as predictors of performance on the national board of examiners in optometry part I (basic science) examination.

PURPOSE: To evaluate preoptometry and optometry school grade point averages and Optometry Admission Test (OAT) scores as predictors of performance on the National Board of Examiners in Optometry NBEO Part I (Basic Science) (NBEOPI) examination. METHODS: Simple and multiple correlation coefficients were computed from data obtained from a sample of three consecutive classes of optometry students (1995-1997; n = 278) at Southern California College of Optometry. RESULTS: The GPA after year two of optometry school was the highest correlation (r = 0.75) among all predictor variables; the average of all scores on the OAT was the highest correlation among preoptometry predictor variables (r = 0.46). Stepwise regression analysis indicated a combination of the optometry GPA, the OAT Academic Average, and the GPA in certain optometry curricular tracks resulted in an improved correlation (multiple r = 0.81). Predicted NBEOPI scores were computed from the regression equation and then analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (roc) and statistic of agreement (kappa) methods. From this analysis, we identified the predicted score that maximized identification of true and false NBEOPI failures (71% and 10%, respectively). Cross validation of this result on a separate class of optometry students resulted in a slightly lower correlation between actual and predicted NBEOPI scores (r = 0.77) but showed the criterion-predicted score to be somewhat lax. CONCLUSIONS: The optometry school GPA after 2 years is a reasonably good predictor of performance on the full NBEOPI examination, but the prediction is enhanced by adding the Academic Average OAT score. However, predicting performance in certain subject areas of the NBEOPI examination, for example Psychology and Ocular/Visual Biology, was rather insubstantial. Nevertheless, predicting NBEOPI performance from the best combination of year two optometry GPAs and preoptometry variables is better than has been shown in previous studies predicting optometry GPA from the best combination of preoptometry variables.

Certification↗
PubMed2006

The practice of optometry: National Board of Examiners in Optometry survey of optometric patients.

PURPOSE: A study commissioned by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry was designed to obtain information about patients seen in general practice. METHODS: Providers completed an encounter form for patients seen during a 2-day sample. Data were obtained from 11,012 patients in rural, urban, and suburban environments from a diverse population of 480 optometrists representative of profession-wide practitioners in terms of geographic distribution and practice settings. Although practitioners were selected randomly, the response rate among those who were invited to participate was only 17.7%. Optometrists who specialized and did not classify themselves as general practitioners were excluded from the study. RESULTS: The study provides insights into the most common diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed, medications prescribed, and referrals made in general practices. Seventy-one percent of all examinations were categorized as comprehensive, approximately 13% were because of disease, and 11% were for contact lens care. Almost 17% of all patients received a formal visual field test (Goldmann or automated). Refractive error was the most prevalent diagnosis, reflective of the ocular problems found in the general population, and systemic conditions were the second largest category. Although 12% of all patients were referred to an ophthalmologist for further care, other types of referrals were infrequent. Referrals to a primary care physician, laboratory, and imaging or for refractive surgery accounted for only 8% of all referrals. CONCLUSION: Ocular disease treatment was found to be an integral part of the optometrist's practice. Prescribing topical medications, both legend and "over-the-counter," was a primary treatment option. The most common medications prescribed were for glaucoma, with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy drops making up the remainder, in descending order.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

The practice of optometry: National Board of Examiners in Optometry survey of optometric patients.

PURPOSE: A study commissioned by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry was designed to obtain information about patients seen in general practice. METHODS: Providers completed an encounter form for patients seen during a 2-day sample. Data were obtained from 11,012 patients in rural, urban, and suburban environments from a diverse population of 480 optometrists representative of profession-wide practitioners in terms of geographic distribution and practice settings. Although practitioners were randomly selected, the response rate among those who were invited to participate was only 17.7%. Optometrists who specialized and did not classify themselves as general practitioners were excluded from the study. RESULTS: The study provides insights into the most common diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed, medications prescribed, and referrals made in general practices. Seventy-one percent of all examinations were categorized as comprehensive eye examinations, approximately 13% the result of disease, and 11% was for contact lens care. Almost 17% of all patients received a formal visual field test (Goldmann or automated). Refractive error was the most prevalent diagnosis reflective of the ocular problems found in the general population and systemic conditions were the second largest category. Although 12% of all patients were referred to an ophthalmologist for further care, other types of referrals were infrequent. Referrals to a primary care physician, laboratory, and imaging or for refractive surgery accounted for only 8% of all referrals. CONCLUSION: Ocular disease treatment was found to be an integral part of the optometrist's practice. Prescribing topical medications, both legend and "over the counter," was a primary treatment option. The most common medications prescribed were for glaucoma, with antibiotics, antiinflammatory, and antiallergy drops making up the remainder in descending order.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Teaching the traditional optometry with the new optometry.

This paper addresses the problem of integrating new technology into the preclinical and clinical teaching programs. The use of senior students to teach their juniors is advocated. A team approach to patient care is discussed.

Optometry↗
PubMed1992

Optometry research. Part 1: Funding sources.

Part 1 of this report presents an overview of U.S. ophthalmic research in general and of optometry research in particular and identifies the National Eye Institute (NEI) as the dominant funder of both types of research. Part 2 examines how NEI funding has been distributed among the U.S. schools and colleges of optometry in the past, whereas Part 3 examines the production of published research from the schools and colleges and the Department of Veterans Affairs Optometry Service. Information is presented to indicate that the schools of optometry account for about 3% of all NEI funding and produce about 3% of all published ophthalmic research. Published optometry research results mainly from the activities of four schools and the VA Optometry Service, which has rapidly become the leading source of articles published in The Journal of the American Optometric Association and presenter of continuing education at the Academy's annual Ellerbrock Lectures. This study suggests optometry needs to husband its relatively small research base and, in the author's opinion, concentrate on the support of clinical trials and research directly relevant to primary eye care rather than basic biologic or physiologic research.

Humans↗
PubMed1990

A nationwide evaluation of the academic performance of male and female optometry students.

The number of women entering optometry has risen steadily over the last two decades. The present study is a nationwide evaluation of the academic performance of male and female optometry students graduating in 1986. The data presented was obtained through the cooperation of 12 of the 15 U.S. schools and colleges of optometry. Factors which were investigated include preoptometry grade point average (GPA), GPA at the end of the first two years of optometry school, GPA for the second two years of optometry (calculated independently from the first two years GPA), Optometry College Admission Test (OCAT) scores, class rank at graduation and awards received at graduation. This analysis revealed very little difference in overall academic performance between male and female optometry students.

Achievement↗
PubMed1988

Women optometry students: how qualified?

This study compares the academic and personal qualifications of women and men entering the University of Houston College of Optometry (UHCO) over a 6-year period, as well as the performance of these women and men throughout 4 years of optometry school. As predicted, women, as a group, presented somewhat higher grade point averages (GPA's) upon application to optometry, whereas men presented higher scores on science, especially physics, and math sections of the Optometry College Admission Test (OCAT). Women also scored significantly higher on an inventory of positive personality traits generally associated with achievement in higher education. Despite these differences, women and men performed at essentially equivalent levels throughout optometry school, both in the classroom and in the clinic. Women were under-represented as dropouts and over-represented as summa cum laude graduates; men received more clinical performance awards. In terms of personality traits, women were more similar to their male peers and female medical students than to college women in general. Strong motivation to achieve, independence, self-confidence, interpersonal skillfulness, and a sensitivity to others--traits generally associated with leadership--typified optometry students, especially women. These findings suggest that the increasing numbers of women graduates will bring to the profession young optometrists who are well qualified, not only to practice optometry, but also to fill positions of leadership in the profession.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Predicting the academic performance of Asian, black, and Hispanic optometry students.

As optometry schools receive increasing numbers of Asian, Black, and Hispanic applications, it is appropriate for us to ask whether minority students differ in meaningful ways from nonminority students in measures used in admissions, and whether these variables have differential validity in predicting their achievement in optometry school. This study compares Asian, Black, Hispanic, and nonminority students at entry to the University of Houston College of Optometry (UHCO) from 1981 through 1986 and tests the validity of admissions indices to predict optometry grades, academic dropout, and high-level achievement for these ethnic groups. Although preoptometry grade point average (GPA) was the best predictor of optometry grades for all students, measures of verbal ability were additional predictors for Asian students and, for Black and Hispanic students, ability in study/reading and math were predictors. In addition, personality inventory measures and ratings of the competitiveness of the undergraduate institution were important in differentiating minority academic dropouts from retained students. Suggestions are made for optometry college programs which will enhance the probability of success for minority students.

Achievement↗
PubMed1995

Optometry admission interviewing practices in Canada and United States.

This study of optometry programs in Canada and the United States identified both the extent of and approach to admission interviewing as well as the reasons for its inclusion or exclusion. A written questionnaire was designed, piloted, and revised before it was sent to each of the 18 optometry programs. The 15 (83%) completed questionnaires were analyzed and discussed in terms of comparisons with similar surveys of medical and dental programs. Evidence in the psychology literature was presented about the strengths and limitations of this selection tool. Eighty percent of the optometry programs that responded provided admission interviews. Concerns about interview reliability, validity, and costs precluded its use by 20% of the responding programs. Of four variables, the interview was the third most important variable in admission decisions. Unlike medical and dental programs, optometry programs frequently used a panel format; an approach which is recommended in the psychology literature. Similar to surveys of dental and medical programs, the reliability and validity of optometry admission interviews were likely reduced by insufficient interviewer training and interview structure. A need for greater program evaluation of the optometry interview process as well as dissemination of the results was indicated.

Canada↗