OPT 325 Public Health, Epidemiology, and Geriatrics
Two hours of lecture per week. Concepts of public health and epidemiology as they relate to the practice of optometry. Licensing and regulation procedures for health care professions. National and state boards and their role in regulating and controlling the practice of optometry. Concept of standard of care, community standards, and peer review. The use of epidemiology in public health issues and in the practice of optometry. Types of epidemiological studies. Concepts of disease screening. Emphasis on the major epidemiological eye studies. Morbidity, mortality, and the distribution of eye disease and vision problems. Health care delivery and administration in the context of public policy issues. Geriatric issues in the practice of optometry. Theories of aging. Normal ocular aging processes. Cognitive impairments and dementia. Pharmacokinetics and other pharmacological issues as they relate to the elderly. Adjustments to the examination techniques for the geriatric population. Diagnosis and management issues related to systemic and ocular conditions common to the elderly population. Issues related to access of care for the elderly. Psycho-social, psychological, and economic factors association with aging. Driving issues. Elder abuse issues. Social services available for the elderly. Advanced directives and legal issues facing the elderly.