News

The College of Optometrists trialled the new final examination for qualification in optometry at the headquarters of the General Medical Council in London yesterday.

If analysis of the pilot is positive, the new OSCE (objective structure clinical examination) will replace the current system and the plan is to introduce it for pre-registration optometrists in June 2009.

In 2005 the College replaced the old viva-based professional qualification examination part 2 (widely known as the PQEs) with a practice-based assessment and a four-part examination based on the GOC competencies.

At present, pre-registration optometrists, having completed experience in all the competencies to the satisfaction of their College assessor, are entered for an examination assessing their skills in routine eye examination, contact lens practice, ocular disease and clinical decision-making.

The proposed exam aims to do away with this latter examination, the assumption being that rigorous in-practice assessment will negate the need for repeating these in an exam centre.

The OSCE trial involves each candidate completing 14 five-minute stations each aimed at assessing a particular competency. Areas examined include history taking, including making a diagnosis based on a history, clinical communication skills, data interpretation, clinical examination and practical skills.

For communication-based competencies, trained actors were used to simulate patients and their relatives. Other stations included assessment of specific skills such as ophthalmoscopy, cover test and focimetry.

OSCE style exams have been used in other clinical professions including medicine for some time and have been found to be both a standardised and accurate way of assessing a candidate's skill.

● Optician will publish a more detailed description of the proposals in the coming weeks.

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