Is Optometry on the Same Path as the Legal

Is Optometry on the Same Path as the
Legal Profession?
Charles F. Mullen
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Despite Oversupply of Practitioners
Law Schools
 Opened 19 New Law Schools Since 2000 with More
Planned and Increased Enrollments at Existing Schools
Optometry Schools and Colleges
 Opened 7 New Optometry Schools Since 2008 with
More Planned and Increased Enrollments at Existing
Schools
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Consequences of Increased Supply
Law Schools
 Underemployment and Unemployment of Graduates
• 45% of Graduates Unable to Find Full Time Positions
 A Serious Decline in Number of Student Applicants
• Down 37% from 2010
 Less Qualified Students Being Admitted
 Even Prestigious Law Schools Find it Necessary to
Employ Up to 17% of Their Graduates
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Consequences of Increased Supply
Optometry Schools and Colleges
 Increased Annual Graduates from 1127 in 1997 (Supply
Equaled Demand) to Over 1800 at Full Enrollment
 Only 1.4 Applicants per Entering Seat
 40% of Recent Graduates Practice at Two or More Part
Time Locations
 Optometrists Practice at Only 68% of Capacity
4
Conflicting Manpower Data

Rand-1995, Abt-2000 and Lewin-2014 All Indicated
Significant Surpluses of Optometrists

Lewin Study Indicated a Current 12,672 FTE Excess of
OD’s

Bureau of Labor Statistics Projects High Demand for
Optometrists (24% Increase)
Encouraging New Optometry Schools
Validity of Source Data and Assumptions?
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Concerns About Assumptions in Manpower Studies

•
•
Will Expanding the Scope of Practice Absorb the
Excess of Optometrists ?
What Treatment Capabilities Will Be Added?
It Took 43 Years, Significant Resources and Political
Capital to the Reach Current Level Of Practice

Will the Aging Population Significantly Increase
Demand for Optometric Services?

Some Say the Decline in Applicants is Just a Normal
Cyclical Downturn and Not Permanent?
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Proactively Address the Oversupply of
Optometrists


Reduce Enrollments at All Schools and Colleges of
Optometry
Adjust Revenue and Expense Projections
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External Agencies

Demand Correction of Bureau of Labor Statistics
Projections

Insist the ACOE Develop Quantitative Accreditation
Standards Similar to Medicine and Dentistry
Ability to Provide the Quantity and Diversity of Clinical
Training Encounters Must be Demonstrated
•
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Curricula Measures

Make An Optometry Career More Attractive and
Control Debt by Shortening the Length of Education
for O.D. Degree and Board Certification

Thus Developing a Clinical Training Model to
Potentially Qualify for GME
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Explore Alternative Strategies

Mergers with Other Optometry Colleges

Expand Educational Offerings to High Demand Health
Care Providers

Innovative Programs with Health Sciences Centers or
Universities
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Public Health Approach to Oversupply




Increase Demand for Optometric Services by
Addressing Need for Eye Care in Inner-City and Rural
Areas
Only 20% of FQ Community Health Centers Offer
Optometric Services
Estimated 5,000 FTE Optometrists Needed
Inclusion of Optometry in Federal Incentive Programs:
Loan Forgiveness, Scholarships, NHSC and Practice
Start-Up Support is Essential
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Primary References
On www.charlesmullen.com
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