Entry Level Practice Standards
BEFORE GRADUATION EACH STUDENT WILL EFFECTIVELY UTILIZE AND DEMONSTRATE A WORKING KNOWLEDGE IN PATIENT CARE WITHIN EACH OF THE FOLLOIWNG AREAS:
The faculty has approved the following optometric Entry-level Standards:
Doctors of Optometry must have an established knowledge of the basic and clinical sciences in order to provide quality eye and vision care to their patients. The academic foundation must be broad and include the biological, medical, vision and optical sciences, as well as a basic understanding of the health care delivery system. A Doctor of Optometry must recognize the dynamic nature of knowledge and possess the commitment and skills needed to responsibly assess and apply new information and treatment strategies throughout their career.
The UM- St. Louis College of Optometry shall ensure that before graduation each student will effectively utilize and demonstrate a working knowledge in patient care within each of the following areas:
- basic body systems,
with special emphasis on the ocular and visual system and their
interrelationships to the body as a whole;
- the impact of genes and their interaction with behavior, diet and
the environment on human health;
- the various processes and causes that lead to dysfunction and
disease and the effect that these processes can have on the body and its
major organ systems, with special emphasis on the ocular and visual
systems;
- the mechanisms of actions of the various classes of pharmaceutical
agents, including injectable agents, their
interactions, along with their safe and effective use for the treatment of
disease and conditions affecting the eye and visual system;
- the structures and processes contributing to the development of
refractive error and other optical or perceptual abnormalities of the
visual system;
- the optics of the eye and ophthalmic lens systems (including
spectacles, contact lenses, and low vision devices) used to correct
refractive, oculomotor and other vision
disorders;
- visual development and vision function with respect to deviation
and enhancement of conditions such as, but not limited to, strabismus, amblyopia, oculomotor,
accommodation, and visual perception;
- vision therapy and other rehabilitative methods used for the management
of common visual disorders;
- the psychosocial dynamics of the doctor/patient relationship
- the manner in which people of diverse cultures and belief systems
perceive human health and illness and respond to various symptoms,
diseases and treatments.
- the practice management structure and strategies as they pertain to
various practice settings;
- the critical elements of verbal and written communications and
understanding of the need for clear and appropriate documentation of
patient encounters;
- the concepts of refractive surgery and its management;
- the conscientious use of current best practices in patient care
decision making
- a broad-based multidisciplinary understanding of patient care;
- an appreciation for and a commitment to lifelong learning;
- information management and technology in the delivery of eye and
health care
- an understanding of and commitment to uphold the ethical
obligations of the Optometric Oath.
Revised March, 2011
- basic body systems,
with special emphasis on the ocular and visual system and their
interrelationships to the body as a whole;