The Current Situation and Improvement Direction of Optometric Clinical Practice

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to derive basic information for constructing a systematic clinical practice manual by comparing and analyzing clinical practice manuals conducted by each university in optometry and other fields. Methods : In this study, clinical practice manuals of optometry conducted by each university were compared and analyzed with manuals in other fields. Clinical practice manuals of optometry were reviewed in four categories such as procedure and application, operation standards, accreditation standards, and operation subject while manuals in other fields were reviewed through four categories such as introduction of clinical practice, understanding of clinical practice, clinical practice operation method and evaluation. Results : As a result of comparing the clinical training manuals in each university, it was found that the procedure and utilization, accreditation standards, and subjects were not unified, and there was a limit to the importance of clinical training in the curriculum. On the other hand, the on-site training manuals of the four occupational groups (radiologist technologist, physical therapist, nurse assistant and emergency medical technician) are generally well equipped with evaluation elements and show a unified operation method. Conclusion : An integrated and systematic clinical training manual to redeem the expertise of prospective optometric students is insufficient. In order to accumulate more experience, it is necessary to develop and implement a standard manual for clinical practice that allows students to experience the job of an optometrist and improve their job skills evenly.