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Charles F. Mullen

Challenges and Opportunities in Optometry and Optometric Education

Optometry Specialty Certification Boards Provide a Uniform Indicator of Advanced Knowledge and Skills

Introduction

There is a need for increased postgraduate clinical training and Optometry Specialty Certification Boards to manage the rapid expansion of the Scope of Optometric Practice. See: Three Critical Components for Expanded Scope of Optometric Practice.

Board Certification is understood by the health care community and general public to mean that a physician has acquired advanced knowledge and skills in a specialty area such as Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, etc.

Although there are many types of Optometry Residency Programs, only ABCMO offers residents the opportunity to be Board Certified in an Optometry Specialty. This leaves many other residents without the opportunity for Board Certification in their respective Specialties. This deficiency can be addressed by the development of additional Optometry Specialty Certification Boards.

To facilitate the development of Optometry Specialty Certification Boards, and to ensure high standards for all specialties, the American Board of Optometry Specialties (ABOS) was created. Similar to the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), which provides oversight and guidance to independent Medical Specialty Certification Boards, ABOS provides oversight and guidance to independent Optometry Specialty Certification Boards.

American Board of Optometry Specialties (ABOS)

ABOS logo with caduceus in the middleABOS currently has one member optometry specialty certification board and recommends the formation of an additional three.

American Board of Optometry Specialties (ABOS)

April 20, 2022 by Charles F. Mullen

Signature Papers

  • Optometry Specialty Certification Boards Provide a Uniform Indicator of Advanced Knowledge and Skills
  • A New Paradigm for Optometry
  • Optometric Education in Crisis
  • Opportunities Lost – Opportunities Regained
  • Mergers and Consolidations of Optometry Colleges and Schools
  • Transformation of Optometry – Blueprint for the Future
  • Required Postgraduate Clinical Training for Optometry License
  • Why Optometry Needs the American Board of Optometry Specialties (ABOS)
  • The Future of Optometric Education – Opportunities and Challenges
  • A Strategic Framework for Optometry and Optometric Education
  • Changes Necessary to Include Optometry in the Graduate Medical Education Program (GME)
  • Unresolved Matters of Importance to Optometric Education
  • Illinois College of Optometry Commencement Address (Video & Transcript)
  • Charles F. Mullen’s Speech at the Kennedy Library: Development of NECO’s Community Based Education Program
  • Illinois College of Optometry Presidential Farewell Address (Video & Transcript)
  • Commitment to Excellence: ICO’s Strategic Plan
  • Illinois College of Optometry and University of Chicago Affiliation Agreement
  • An Affiliated Educational System for Optometry with the Department of Veterans Affairs

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