The Use of Auxiliaries in Optometric Practice

Abstract

As demand for health services in­creases and as capital and operating costs also increase the providers of health services must maximize their productivity while maintaining quality and patient satisfaction. The professions in Ontario, with the ex­ception of optometry, make extensive use of auxiliaries as a means of in­creasing productivity. In the United States optometric assistants, trained in community and optometric col­leges, are used widely. The paper presents a point of view urging the removal of restrictions on the appro­priate use of well trained assistants.