Optometric Ethics and Jurisprudence

By the end of OPT 315 (Optometric Ethics and Jurisprudence) course, students should be able to: 1. appreciate and be able to explain the importance of health care ethics, in relation to the practice of optometry; 2. explain the concept of consent and informed consent in relation to health care treatment, particularly to the practice of optometry; 3. explain the significance of the tort of trespass to the person (assault, battery and false imprisonment) in relation to health care practitioners, and why the law makes it actionable; 4. analyse the principles underlying the law on medical negligence in relation to optometrists; 5. explain the defences available to an optometrist in legal action for trespass to the person of his patient and for practice negligence; 6. state the ethics and the legal implications of optometry practice location, in relation to fellow practitioner and/or other health care providers; and 7. state the roles of associations and agencies involved in the education and practice of optometry.

Knowledge of optometry as an ethically guided profession and its relationship with other associated health-care professions including ophthalmology and opticianary. The function and scope of the optometrist and other vision-care professionals at present and in the future. Legal recognition of optometry and the role of professional organisations; The national code of ethics for Nigeria; Codes of the Nigerian Optometric Association; Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria; World Council of Optometry; Association of African Optometric Educators. Road to legal recognition; Code of ethics and in-depth study of the Optometry Practice Law in Nigeria. Scope of modern Optometric practice and survey of its development worldwide. Jurisprudence and Legal requirements in the practice of Optometry: Rules of professional conduct; Basic concept of ethics and ethical issues in the practice of Optometry; The Optometrist in court and the requirements of expert evidence. Concept of developing a personal philosophy of Optometry.