Entries are now being accepted for ASCO’s essay competition, the Student Award in Clinical Ethics. Eligibility for the award, which is sponsored by International Vision Expo, has been expanded so that students may submit an entry during any point in their professional program at an ASCO-affiliated school or college of optometry. The acceptable topics have been expanded as well. The essay can be up to 1,500 words long and must describe one of the following scenarios:
• a patient-based case study the student encountered as part of his or her clinical learning experience
• a research-based case scenario the student encountered during the clinical or didactic learning experience
• a professional ethics-based scenario the student encountered during clinical or didactic learning.
The essay must describe and discuss the ethical theories and values that were used in the decision-making process in the case/scenario and address the relevant state laws if applicable. The essay must be submitted in a publishable quality format. Each school or college of optometry is permitted to submit only one essay through its assigned awards coordinator. A committee of the ASCO Ethics Educators SIG will make the selection of one national award recipient. The winning student receives a plaque and $1,000.
The essay, a photo of the student and a publication release form must be e-mailed to Amanda Miller, Manager, Administrative and Board Services, by Feb. 17, 2015.