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Malpractice insurance at optometric institutions
American Journal of Optometry and Physiological Optics
|February 1, 1979
Summary
Optometric educators require malpractice insurance, but policies and costs vary significantly across institutions. Most faculty are covered by institutional policies, though some are encouraged to obtain their own.
Area of Science:
- Optometry
- Medical Education
- Risk Management
Background:
- Optometric educators face potential malpractice suits.
- Understanding available malpractice insurance is crucial for educators.
- The "malpractice insurance crisis" necessitates a review of current policies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To survey malpractice insurance policies at US optometry schools.
- To compare protections offered by different optometric institutions.
- To inform educators about available malpractice insurance options.
Main Methods:
- A survey was conducted across twelve schools and colleges of optometry in the United States.
- Data collected focused on the types of malpractice insurance coverage and associated premiums.
- Inquiry into whether faculty members were required to pay for their own policies.
Main Results:
- Significant variation in malpractice insurance coverage and premiums was observed among institutions.
- Faculty members were required to pay for their own policies at only one surveyed institution.
- Two additional colleges strongly recommended faculty obtain their own malpractice insurance.
Conclusions:
- Malpractice insurance availability and cost differ substantially between optometry programs.
- The majority of optometric educators are covered by institutional malpractice insurance.
- Further discussion is needed regarding claims against optometric teaching facilities and insurance trends.