raising standards
We continue to develop the role of the College as the arbiter of standards in professional education and practice. College Guidance provides clear clinical, professional and ethical advice for registrants. In 2009 we conducted a review of our Guidance, publishing a re-structured, user- friendly version. Further recommendations from that review have been implemented through the development of the College website and we now offer quick and easy access to the Guidance online.
We have continued to publish our Clinical Management Guidelines and completed the first phase of their review. Although originally designed to support optometric prescribing, CMGs are also a reliable source of peer-reviewed information on the diagnosis and management of 60 eye conditions and all optometrists will find them a useful source of information. Our Optometric Adviser, Dr Susan Blakeney, offers
professional support and advice to our members and information to other professionals and the public. This year Dr Blakeney dealt with 400 enquiries.
DOCET DOCET, administered by the College, has continued to produce a diverse range of award-winning materials focusing on highly topical subjects as well as the essential skills optometrists need in everyday situations. DOCET is a special College committee established by the Department of Health in 1989 to oversee the management of government funds set aside for the provision of optometric continuing education and training for all UK registered optometrists. DOCET funds are held by the College in a reserved fund and included in the College’s annual accounts. During the year, DOCET has delivered the following materials to all practising UK optometrists:
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Optometric Quarterly 72 with topical interviews on waste disposal and a glaucoma evaluation scheme
Optometric Quarterly 73 featuring tracks on the MPOD, the Intraocular Microtelescope and the Northern Ireland Childhood Refractive Errors Study
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Optometric Quarterly 74 covering the very popular topic of proposed laser treatment for Dry AMD, the International Glaucoma Association’s sightline cards and using retinal cell death to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease
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Optometric Quarterly 75 reviewing optometric iPhone apps, bespoke software to manage glaucoma referrals and a breakthrough in myopia control
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Optometric Quarterly 76 featuring interesting tracks on epilepsy and optometric patients, home lighting for people with sight loss and managing patients with learning disabilities.
DOCET also delivered a CET pack on communication skills, which included a film and five fact sheets on communication skills in practice, patient-centred care, understanding patients’ concerns and anxieties, handling patient complaints and helping patients to adhere to their eyecare recommendations. At the 2010 New York Festivals International Television and Film Awards, the DOCET DVD ‘On The Record’, produced in collaboration with the Association of Optometrists, won a silver trophy in the ‘Film and Video – Industrial Productions’ category. DOCET projects in production include DVDs on flashes and floaters, dementia, optometry and ethnicity, glaucoma and AMD. Optometrists can also look forward to more stimulating discussions from the Optometric Quarterly CDs and a new look DOCET website, where users will be able to carry out their CET online and have access to the back catalogue of DOCET materials. DOCET will continue to offer grants to support valuable
face-to-face CET by supporting local course organisers of events and peer reviews. DOCET have also simplified the process for applying for funding for these events, to encourage more applications from local providers.
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