Adequacy and relevance of Indian optometry curricula to practicing optometrists
Context: To ensure that future optometry graduates receive appropriate knowledge and skills to provide comprehensive primary eye care, it is important to evaluate the current optometry curricula. Aim: To evaluate the relevance of optometry curriculum in India by assessing the perceptions on the curr...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2016-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical Ophthalmology and Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.jcor.in/article.asp?issn=2320-3897;year=2016;volume=4;issue=3;spage=127;epage=136;aulast=Thite |
| _version_ | 1818577919705874432 |
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| author | Nilesh D Thite Parikshit Gogate Jyoti Jaggernath Gauri K Kunjeer |
| author_facet | Nilesh D Thite Parikshit Gogate Jyoti Jaggernath Gauri K Kunjeer |
| author_sort | Nilesh D Thite |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Context: To ensure that future optometry graduates receive appropriate knowledge and skills to provide comprehensive primary eye care, it is important to evaluate the current optometry curricula. Aim: To evaluate the relevance of optometry curriculum in India by assessing the perceptions on the curriculum strengths and lacunae by practicing optometrists. Setting and Design: Questionnaire-based survey in India. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was used to elicit the opinions of purposively selected, 4-year trained optometrists, on the adequacy, and relevance of the optometric curriculum subjects offered in the optometric institutions. Statistical Analysis Used: Descriptive analysis was used to show reported frequencies of single responses to questions. The Cronbach's alpha test was used to measure consistency of responses to questions. Results: One hundred and three valid complete responses were received. Fifty eight (56%) participating optometrists were females. The most adequately covered optometry subjects as reported by the participating optometrists were contact lenses (n = 87, 85%), refraction (n = 86, 84%), ocular investigation (n = 75, 73%), and ocular disease (n = 75, 73%). Ocular diseases, low vision, and dispensing optics were, reportedly, covered sufficiently in theory, but the participants lacked adequate practical exposure. Basic optics had a maximum score regarding practical exposure, among support subjects while communication skills, computer skills, and community optometry were rated very low. Business aspect and legal aspect were inadequately taught. The optometry curricula in India are considered as being adequate and relevant, some subjects need more practical demonstrations and teaching of support subjects needs amendments. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-16T06:37:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-15246c12d3644688bca642a6a6d3db39 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2320-3897 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-16T06:37:34Z |
| publishDate | 2016-01-01 |
| publisher | Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Clinical Ophthalmology and Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-15246c12d3644688bca642a6a6d3db392022-12-21T22:40:45ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsJournal of Clinical Ophthalmology and Research2320-38972016-01-014312713610.4103/2320-3897.190793Adequacy and relevance of Indian optometry curricula to practicing optometristsNilesh D ThiteParikshit GogateJyoti JaggernathGauri K KunjeerContext: To ensure that future optometry graduates receive appropriate knowledge and skills to provide comprehensive primary eye care, it is important to evaluate the current optometry curricula. Aim: To evaluate the relevance of optometry curriculum in India by assessing the perceptions on the curriculum strengths and lacunae by practicing optometrists. Setting and Design: Questionnaire-based survey in India. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was used to elicit the opinions of purposively selected, 4-year trained optometrists, on the adequacy, and relevance of the optometric curriculum subjects offered in the optometric institutions. Statistical Analysis Used: Descriptive analysis was used to show reported frequencies of single responses to questions. The Cronbach's alpha test was used to measure consistency of responses to questions. Results: One hundred and three valid complete responses were received. Fifty eight (56%) participating optometrists were females. The most adequately covered optometry subjects as reported by the participating optometrists were contact lenses (n = 87, 85%), refraction (n = 86, 84%), ocular investigation (n = 75, 73%), and ocular disease (n = 75, 73%). Ocular diseases, low vision, and dispensing optics were, reportedly, covered sufficiently in theory, but the participants lacked adequate practical exposure. Basic optics had a maximum score regarding practical exposure, among support subjects while communication skills, computer skills, and community optometry were rated very low. Business aspect and legal aspect were inadequately taught. The optometry curricula in India are considered as being adequate and relevant, some subjects need more practical demonstrations and teaching of support subjects needs amendments.http://www.jcor.in/article.asp?issn=2320-3897;year=2016;volume=4;issue=3;spage=127;epage=136;aulast=ThiteAdequacycore optometry subjectscurriculumoptometry practice relevance/usefulness |
| spellingShingle | Nilesh D Thite Parikshit Gogate Jyoti Jaggernath Gauri K Kunjeer Adequacy and relevance of Indian optometry curricula to practicing optometrists Journal of Clinical Ophthalmology and Research Adequacy core optometry subjects curriculum optometry practice relevance/usefulness |
| title | Adequacy and relevance of Indian optometry curricula to practicing optometrists |
| title_full | Adequacy and relevance of Indian optometry curricula to practicing optometrists |
| title_fullStr | Adequacy and relevance of Indian optometry curricula to practicing optometrists |
| title_full_unstemmed | Adequacy and relevance of Indian optometry curricula to practicing optometrists |
| title_short | Adequacy and relevance of Indian optometry curricula to practicing optometrists |
| title_sort | adequacy and relevance of indian optometry curricula to practicing optometrists |
| topic | Adequacy core optometry subjects curriculum optometry practice relevance/usefulness |
| url | http://www.jcor.in/article.asp?issn=2320-3897;year=2016;volume=4;issue=3;spage=127;epage=136;aulast=Thite |
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