Doctors of Optometry are:

• expected to manage every relevant condition in a manner that assures safe and effective care for the patient; however, the level at which the condition is managed is expected to differ from entry-level following practice experience or supplemental education.
• aware of their individual competencies and conduct themselves accordingly (Òas taughtÓ).
• responsible for ongoing self-learning and for remaining current and competent in their knowledge and skills.
• expected to utilize all resources, including ancillary personnel, intra- and inter-professional consultation, co-management and referral in securing the best possible care for their patients.
• expected to commit themselves to the profession as expressed in the Optometric Oath and AOA Code of Ethics.
• expected to manage their practices in a manner that is appropriate within the health care delivery system and that promotes patient access to eye and vision care.

• The central goal of Doctor of Optometry degree programs is to prepare students to enter into the general practice of optometry.
• The Doctor of Optometry will continue to be a post-baccalaureate degree program, which is four years in duration.
• Additional post-graduate education and training opportunities provide advanced practice skills and knowledge in specialized areas beyond those required for the general practice of optometry.
• The practice of optometry is regulated by State Boards of Optometry and requires an independent assessment of competencies prior to licensure.

To serve the public and the profession well, new graduates must embrace and demonstrate the ethical and professional standards appropriate to being recognized as a health care provider. The new graduate must also recognize that the completion of the Doctor of Optometry degree program is only the first step in a life-long commitment to self-directed learning and continual professional improvement.

The School or College of Optometry shall ensure that before graduation each student will have demonstrated critical professional and personal attributes, including:

Personal attributes

• A commitment to life-long learning and providing the highest standard of care.
• The ability to incorporate ethical principles into decisions affecting patient care and the practice of optometry.
• The ability to acquire, analyze and apply new information while making reasonable and informed decisions that are consistent with the interests and needs of the patient and broader community.
• Problem-solving and critical thinking skills that integrate current knowledge, scientific advances, and the human/social dimensions of patient care to assure the highest quality of care for each patient.
• The ability to recognize personal limitations regarding optimal patient care and to work with the broader health care community in providing the best care possible.

Professional attributes

• An understanding and application of professional ethics and standards in the practice of optometry, always keeping patient's welfare foremost.
• Professionalism, by demonstrating honesty and integrity in all interactions with patients and their families, colleagues, and others with whom the optometrist must engage in his/her professional life.
• A respect for the dignity of every patient and a commitment to empathetic and confidential care.
• Professionalism in understanding the challenges to the optometric profession posed by potential conflicts of interest inherent in health care delivery.
• A commitment to be actively involved in organized optometry and the community.

To provide quality eye and vision care to their patients, graduating Doctors of Optometry must have an established knowledge of the basic and clinical sciences. The 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. The 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 his/her career.

The School or College of Optometry shall ensure that before graduation each student will have demonstrated knowledge of:

• Basic body systems, with special emphasis on the ocular and visual system and their interrelationships to the body as a whole.
• 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.
• Mechanisms of actions of the various classes of pharmaceutical agents. Their interactions and 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 and 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 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 and an understanding of the social, psychological, and economic forces affecting diverse patient populations.
• Practice management structures and strategies as they pertain to the various practice settings.
• The critical elements of verbal and written communications and, clear and appropriate documentation of patient encounters.

To provide the highest quality of care to their patients, Doctors of Optometry must possess appropriate cognitive and motor skills needed to prevent, diagnose, treat and manage clinical conditions which are within the scope of their professional responsibilities.

The School or College of Optometry shall ensure that before graduation each student will have demonstrated:

• All the skills required for the diagnosis, triage, management and/or treatment of common visual conditions and ocular diseases, including or resulting from:
  • refractive anomalies
  • abnormalities of accommodation
  • abnormalities of monocular or binocular vision skills
  • oculomotor and sensory/perceptual dysfunctions
  • ocular disease and trauma
  • prior ocular surgery and/or laser intervention
  • systemic disease
  • environmental or occupational conditions
• The ability to order and interpret frequently needed laboratory and diagnostic procedures.
• The critical thinking skills needed to assess the patient's visual and physical status and to interpret and synthesize the data to formulate and execute effective management plans.
• The ability to prescribe and/or use ophthalmic materials, contact lenses, vision therapy, low vision systems, pharmaceuticals, and certain surgical procedures, to treat and otherwise manage common vision disorders and disease.
• The ability to recognize and initiate the coordination of care for patients requiring advanced medical or specialty care.
• The ability to recognize life threatening conditions and to initiate intervention.
• Effective communication skills, both orally and in writing, as appropriate for maximizing successful patient care outcomes.
• The ability to realistically assess personal competencies and limitations.
• The ability to appropriately use all resources including the use of ancillary personnel, intra- and inter-professional consultation, co-management and referral in ensuring the best quality patient care.
• The ability to access knowledge, (including through the use of information technology), and manage information, and to apply that information in making decisions about patient care and health care delivery.

	URL: http://www.opt.indiana.edu/programs/od/attribut.htm Revised: October 28, 2005
	IU Optometry home page: http://www.opt.indiana.edu/ Comments: Web Administrator Original page design and coding: Terri Greene Copyright © 2005, The Trustees of Indiana University