안경광학과 학과계열 분류의 타당성 분석

Purpose: This study was aimed at analyzing the feasibility of the Korean classification of the department of optometry and suggesting an improved classification. Methods: To analyze the classification of the department of optometry and the scope of optometrist duties, data of the Korean Statistical Classification, overseas classification, and job classification system were used. Results: Medical technician training departments belong to the medicine and health fields in the KEDI classification, but the department of optometry, which trains optometrists, is classified as engineering. Comparing the curricula of the department of optometry and the corresponding overseas department and analyzing the number of graduates, number of licensees, place of employment, job area of the optometrist who obtained a national license, and related laws revealed that the classification of the department of optometry did not appropriately reflect the curriculum or competency of Korean optometrists. Conclusions: The results of this study confirmed that the department of optometry is incorrectly classified as an engineering department since the optometrist’s job or curriculum is not properly reflected. A new classification of the optometry department that can reflect the scope of opticians’ duties and their social role is necessary.