Identifying and teaching affective skills in optometric education

Area of Science:

• Optometry Education
• Affective Skills Training
• Healthcare Professional Development

Background:

• The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) curriculum model emphasizes interviewing, counseling, and patient management.
• Affective skills are crucial for effective patient care and professional practice in optometry.
• Current optometric curricula may have varying levels of focus on these essential affective components.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current status of affective components within optometric curricula.
• To describe a specific educational course designed to teach affective skills to optometry students.
• To enhance the training of essential interpersonal and patient-centered skills in future optometrists.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing optometric curricula and affective skills components.
• Curriculum development and description of a course focused on affective skills.
• Analysis of the integration and teaching methodologies for affective skills in optometry.

Main Results:

• Identification of key affective skills (interviewing, counseling, patient management) as vital.
• Assessment of the current landscape of affective skills education in optometry.
• Detailed description of a newly developed course aimed at imparting these skills.

Conclusions:

• Affective skills are integral to optometric training and patient care.
• There is a need for structured educational programs to teach these skills effectively.
• The described course serves as a model for enhancing affective skill development in optometry students.