The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #52660

Elizabeth Hoppe, OD, DrPH, Southern California College of Optometry, 2575 Yorba Linda Blvd, Fullerton, CA 92831, (714)449-7427, ehoppe@scco.edu

Introduction: Domestic violence is a serious concern in the United States. Physicians, nurses and dentists have developed curricula on the topic for heir students, but the profession of optometry has not. Methods: Current literature and examples of successful domestic violence education programs were reviewed. The types of situations and injuries that an optometrist is likely to observe were evaluated. A videotaped curriculum and instructor's manual were developed. Results: The videotape was shown to 179 optometry students. Scores on the pre-test ranged from 2 to 9 correct answers with a mean of 5.7. Scores on the post-test ranged from 6 to 10 correct answers with a mean of 9.3. A paired t-test showed a significant difference (p=0.0000). Conclusion: This curriculum is effective in increasing optometry students' knowledge related to domestic violence.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn to describe the basic components of a curriculum about domestic violence.
• Learn the characteristic eye injuries that can indicate a domestic violence situation.
• Learn about examples of student exercises incorporated into a domestic violence curriculum.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.