Emerging Optometry: Lifelong Learning and CET Standards

Module and Instructor Details:
- Unit Name: OPTO31222 – EMERGING OPTOMETRY
- Instructional Lead: Dr. Caroline Thompson (FBMH – Optometry - UoM)
- Core Theme: Keeping optometric knowledge and skills up-to-date.
Online Learning Activities (OLA) Breakdown:
- OLA 1: Lifelong learning.
- OLA 2: Continuous education & training.
- OLA 3: Future of Optometry.
Objectives of the Training:
- Identify and implement strategies to remain up-to-date in professional knowledge.
- Review topical developments in UK Optometry from the last $12$ months.
- Note: For a review of the earlier $5$ years, students should refer to the separate Archive handout.
Intended Learning Outcomes:
- Familiarization with Continuous Education and Training (CET) requirements applicable once a practitioner is fully qualified.
- Attaining an understanding of the various types of CET available.

Role of the GOC: The General Optical Council serves as the regulator for optical professions in the UK. Its primary mission is protecting the public by promoting high standards of education, performance, and conduct among optical professionals.
GOC Standard 5: Keep your knowledge and skills up to date:
- 5.1 Clinical Competence: Practitioners must be competent in all aspects of their work. This is not limited to clinical practice but extends to supervision, teaching, research, and management roles. One must refrain from performing any roles in which they are not competent.
- 5.2 Compliance with CET: Professionals must comply with the CET requirements of the GOC. This is defined as a formal part of a commitment to maintaining and developing skills throughout an entire career.
- 5.3 Evidence-Based Practice: Practitioners must remain aware of current good practice and relevant developments in clinical research, applying these findings to patient care.
- 5.4 Reflection and Quality Improvement: Professionals are expected to reflect on their practice to improve quality. This is achieved through activities including:
  - Reviews.
  - Audits.
  - Appraisals.
  - Risk assessments.
  - Implementing actions arising from these reflective processes.

Primary Education:
- Institutions: Preparatory School.
- Ages: $4-11$ .
- Structure: Reception through Year $6$ .
- Milestones: SATS or $11+$ exams at age $10-11$ (Year $6$ ).
Secondary Education:
- Institutions: Senior School.
- Ages: $11-16$ .
- Structure: Year $7$ through Year $11$ .
- Milestones: GCSEs at age $14-16$ (Years $10$ and $11$ ).
Further Education:
- Institutions: Sixth Form or College.
- Ages: $16-18$ .
- Structure: Year $12$ and Year $13$ .
- Qualifications: Academic (A levels / IB) or Vocational (NVQs / BTECs).
Higher Education (University):
- Undergraduate (UG):
  - Standard courses: $3$ years.
  - Sandwich courses or study abroad: $4$ years.
  - Specialized degrees (Medicine, Veterinary, Architecture): $5$ years.
- Postgraduate (PG):
  - Master’s Degree (Taught or Research): $1-2$ years.
  - PHD: $3-5$ years.
Professional Culmination: The College of Optometrists Diploma Ceremony is often viewed as the final academic step, but it marks the transition to professional lifelong learning rather than the end of education.

Requirement for Qualified Practitioners: Once an individual is on the fully-qualified register, they are legally and professionally required to undertake CET.
Management via GOC:
- MyGOC Portal: An online area used by registrants to find CET in local areas, log points, and update contact details.
- FtP FOCUS: A new learning bulletin for registrants that provides specific insights into the fitness to practise process.
Resources for Lifelong Learning:
- AOP (Association of Optometrists) Blogs: Articles such as Emily McCormick’s "Life-long learning" ( $20$ Apr $2017$ ) emphasize that for optometrists and dispensing opticians, the process of learning never stops.
- Fields of Learning: CET covers Science and vision, Industry developments, Professional support, and In-practice skills.

Professional Reflection Task: The activity requires practitioners to identify at least $3$ things they should gain from participating in CET.
Primary Benefits of Continuous Education:
- Knowledge Reinforcement: To reinforce and solidify existing professional knowledge.
- Current Innovation: To discover new developments and advancements within one's current specialized areas of practice.
- Breadth of Competence: To keep up-to-date with clinical areas and skills that the practitioner may not be practicing in daily, ensuring holistic professional readiness.