Poster: A Model for Competency Based Optometric Training

Rebecca P. McAlister, William Howard McAlsiter, Ralph P. Garzia, Aaron S. Franzel., Aaron S. Franzel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Competency based strategies for educational outcomes have been in development in many health related fields over the past several years. These have the intent of improving the quality and competency of graduates. With many optometric programs in both developed and underdeveloped countries in their infancy, use of these strategies could not only improve educational outcomes but standardize training. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) is the accrediting body for all United States medical residencies and fellowships. In 2001, they began the Outcomes Project which mandated specific training and evaluation in the six General Competencies: patient care, medical knowledge, interpersonal communications, professionalism, problem based learning and improvement, and systems based practice. Graduate medical training programs have been developing curricula and assessment tools in these areas. Sharpening the focus on the educational process itself, programs are increasingly incorporating specific learning experiences and validating these assessment tools to assure graduates have sufficient skills to practice in the increasingly complex medical environment. In 2006, The ACGME Outcomes Project is moving into Phase 3 in which graduate medical education programs will utilize outcomes to assess trainees and to evaluate the quality of their programs. This ongoing quality assessment of both trainees and the educational environment is to assure medical training produces highly qualified physicians who will continue this process of quality improvement throughout their professional careers. Application of the principles of such outcomes based education in the development of optometric training programs can enhance the quality of graduates and their subsequent practice.

Disciplines

  • Optometry

Cite this