OPTOMETRY ADMISSION INTERVIEWING PRACTICES IN CANADA AND UNITED-STATES

This study of optometry programs in Canada and the United States ident ified both the extent of and approach to admission interviewing as wel l as the reasons for its inclusion or exclusion. A written questionnai re was designed, piloted, and revised before it was sent to each of th e 18 optometry programs. The 15 (83%) completed questionnaires were an alyzed and discussed in terms of comparisons with similar surveys of m edical and dental programs. Evidence in the psychology literature was presented about the strengths and limitations of this selection tool. Eighty percent of the optometry programs that responded provided admis sion interviews. Concerns about interview reliability, validity, and c osts precluded its use by 20% of the responding programs. Of four vari ables, the interview was the third most important variable in admissio n decisions. Unlike medical and dental programs, optometry programs fr equently used a panel format; an approach which is recommended in the psychology literature. Similar to surveys of dental and medical progra ms, the reliability and validity of optometry admission interviews wer e likely reduced by insufficient interviewer training and interview st ructure. A need for greater program evaluation of the optometry interv iew process as well as dissemination of the results was indicated.