Malpractice Insurance at Optometric Institutions

The optometric educator needs insurance against malpractice suits. A survey was made of the policies available at twelve schools and colleges of optometry in the United States. The object of this survey was to compare the various protections offered by the optometric institutions and also to inform the educators of what is available to them. It was found that coverage and premiums vary considerably between the institutions. At only one of the twelve schools and colleges of optometry responding to this survery were faculty members required to pay for their own policies, but to avoid undue risk, two other colleges highly recommend that their faculty purchase their own coverage. Implications of the low number of claims brought against optometric teaching facilities and other factors are discussed in light of the “malpractice insurance crisis.”