| Abstrakt: |
The Healthy People 2000 objectives represent a major opportunity for optometry to expand its scope of practice, enhance its quality of patient care, and become involved in making policies and programs that will directly affect the services and patient care it provides. If optometrists take advantage of this opportunity they will: 1. Increase the visibility of optometry and enhance our image as the primary eye and vision care provider. 2. Increase the number of patients seen by optometrists. 3. Expand the number of organizations, policy makers and third party providers who understand the services optometrists provide and their importance in achieving the Healthy People 2000 objectives. 4. Increase the number of referrals from nontraditional sources. 5. Enhance the overall health of their patients. 6. Be recognized as the leader of health promotion and disease prevention activities involving eye and vision care. The question is, "Will optometrists become involved and use this opportunity?" We must look back from the perspective of the year 2000 and be able to answer this question with a definite YES! |
