{"title":"Situation analysis of optometric education in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.","authors":"Yazan Gammoh, Vanessa Moodley","doi":"10.26719/emhj.23.019","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"Background\nThere is a scarcity of research evidence on the state of optometry education in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR).\n\n\nAims\nTo assess the state of optometry education in the EMR and provide evidence for policymakers and stakeholders.\n\n\nMethods\nTwenty-two purposively selected key academic stakeholders from 21 countries and the Eastern Mediterranean Council of Optometry completed a semi-structured optometry situation analysis questionnaire about the state of optometry education in their respective countries between August 2021 and January 2022. Data was analysed using SPSS version 25.\n\n\nResults\nData from 19 (86%) of the 21 countries and 1 territory were included in this analysis. Eight (36.4%) countries offered bachelor's degree programmes and 5 (22.7%) offered a diploma, 6 (27.3%) countries did not offer any optometry education. Saudi Arabia offered a doctor of optometry programme. Programmes were accredited by an accreditation body through periodic quality audits in 7 countries. Morocco had the highest average number of graduates per annum (n = 305), while Yemen had only 20.\n\n\nConclusion\nEMR countries differ in the number of optometry education programmes offered, as well as in their curricular competency levels and systems to monitor quality standards. There is a need for regional collaboration to harmonize and improve the quality of optometry education in the EMR.","PeriodicalId":11411,"journal":{"name":"Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal","volume":"29 3","pages":"170-176"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7000,"publicationDate":"2023-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.26719/emhj.23.019","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"HEALTH CARE SCIENCES & SERVICES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background
There is a scarcity of research evidence on the state of optometry education in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR).
Aims
To assess the state of optometry education in the EMR and provide evidence for policymakers and stakeholders.
Methods
Twenty-two purposively selected key academic stakeholders from 21 countries and the Eastern Mediterranean Council of Optometry completed a semi-structured optometry situation analysis questionnaire about the state of optometry education in their respective countries between August 2021 and January 2022. Data was analysed using SPSS version 25.
Results
Data from 19 (86%) of the 21 countries and 1 territory were included in this analysis. Eight (36.4%) countries offered bachelor's degree programmes and 5 (22.7%) offered a diploma, 6 (27.3%) countries did not offer any optometry education. Saudi Arabia offered a doctor of optometry programme. Programmes were accredited by an accreditation body through periodic quality audits in 7 countries. Morocco had the highest average number of graduates per annum (n = 305), while Yemen had only 20.
Conclusion
EMR countries differ in the number of optometry education programmes offered, as well as in their curricular competency levels and systems to monitor quality standards. There is a need for regional collaboration to harmonize and improve the quality of optometry education in the EMR.
期刊介绍:
The Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, established in 1995, is the flagship health periodical of the World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean.
The mission of the Journal is to contribute to improving health in the Eastern Mediterranean Region by publishing and publicising quality health research and information with emphasis on public health and the strategic health priorities of the Region. It aims to: further public health knowledge, policy, practice and education; support health policy-makers, researchers and practitioners; and enable health professionals to remain informed of developments in public health.
The EMHJ:
-publishes original peer-reviewed research and reviews in all areas of public health of relevance to the Eastern Mediterranean Region
-encourages, in particular, research related to the regional health priorities, namely: health systems strengthening; emergency preparedness and response; communicable diseases; noncommunicable diseases and mental health; reproductive, maternal, child health and nutrition
-provides up-to-date information on public health developments with special reference to the Region.
The Journal addresses all members of the health profession, health educational institutes, as well as governmental and nongovernmental organizations in the area of public health within and outside the Region.