How Do Average Michigan OD's Spend Their Time: Specific Aspects Of Patient Care In Optometry.

Wbat exactly does the average OD spend his or her time doing during the day, and should some specific aspects of patient care really be considered a "specialty"? Does ''specialization" in optometry even exist? Or should it? If specialized optometry shall exist, then what kind of training should be required for an optometrist to be considered a "specialist" in a certain aspect of patient care? Although specialty groups do currently exist, the Low Vision Section (L VS) of the American Optometric Association (AOA) and the Council on Visual Development (COVD)1 for example, there are no real requirements established for optometrists who claim to be "specialists" in certain areas of patient care ( eg. contact lenses, pediatrics, low vision, or vision therapy). Post-graduate and post-residency fellowship training allows ophthalmologists to be commonly regarded as "specialists" in certain areas of ophthalmological practice ( eg. corneal specialist, retinal specialist, glaucoma specialist etc.).2.3 Although residencies are gaining popularity among OD's, they are still an optional part of the practice of optometry. In similarity with ophthalmology, should optometry require certification of specialties by residency, fellowship, or other post-graduate training? 4.S,6.?,s And if so, what changes need to be made in the already challenged arena of optometric education.The purpose of this study is simply to find out what average Michigan OD's spend their time doing. Specifically, what aspects of patient care do OD's commonly perform in their everyday practices, and what percentages of overall office time does the average OD spend on each specific aspect of patient care.