A Critical Study of The Proposed Optometric Bill in Taiwan

• Main Author: 洪瑞蓮
• Other Authors: 楊秀儀
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2004
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/57963869949528232210

碩士 === 長庚大學 === 醫務管理學研究所 === 92 === Although the Department of Health in Taiwan has long stipulated that licensed ophthalmologists are the only eligible professionals to provide vision health care, a great number of eyeglasses jobholders with no formal optometric training also participate in related work under no-setup -standards. In the year of 2000, the Department of Education approved the establishment of the Department of Optometry in Zhongshan Medical University, which was the initial stage of establishing an optical system. In 2001, the Department of Health proposed an “Optometric Bill”. “The Bill” recognizes the status of the then existed non-optometrist automatically, while set rigid entry barrier for new comers. The law, I argued, does not promote the quality of the eye vision health care, but guarantee the unjust interest of specific groups. This paper compares in detail the regulatory scheme of vision practitioners, including ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians, in the United States with those in Taiwan. Taking Refractive Errors Examination as an example, this paper further explores the reasonable scope of practice for ophthalmologists, optometrists and opticians. The author argues that the “Optometric Bill” should establish a comprehensive training program and a reasonable certification system to assure the required quality of care. The objectives are to achieve the professional standards and promote the quality of vision health care.