After a short period of readjustment, most registered eye care professionals (ECPs) seem to have taken to CPD well, perhaps appreciative of the greater flexibility offered in recognising a broader range of learning and development experiences. At mid-year session organised by the GOC last summer, the figures showed that a large number of ECPs had already logged CPD points and that the vast majority of these were provider-led points (figure 1). I suspect that those not yet to have logged any points at that stage were building a portfolio to be uploaded at the end of the year.
As we look forward to 2023, be reassured that Optician will continue to offer a wide range of CPD point opportunities covering breadth of subject areas. Alongside the more traditional distance learning features, there will be regular interactive CPD exercises. Though these are a little more time-consuming, the overall feedback I hear suggests they are a good way of encouraging discussion about a range of topics and, as one reader told me, are actually quite enjoyable.
Also expect to see a greater representation of hitherto barely seen CPD topics, such as the training and monitoring of support staff and exercises focusing on more managerial and business matters. That said, I hope that Optician will also reflect a range of external live events. Here are two tasters of highlights for this year.
Figure 1: GOC data for CPD released in August 2022
Alcon Webinars
In agreement with Alcon, Optician will be reporting on a series of quarterly webinars. Each webinar will be broadcast live, online, and then a full report of the event will be published in Optician with accompanying CPD opportunities. The events will include key researchers and authorities in their fields and should prove to be essential for practising contact lens clinicians.
For the four quarters of 2023, the webinar themes are as follows:
- Toric contact lenses
- Contact lens comfort
- Dry eye disease
- Multifocal contact lens options
Look out for more on these new webinars in the coming weeks.
Scottish Optical Conference
Prior to lockdown, the annual Scottish Optical Conference (SOC) had established itself as a key event on the CET/CPD calendar, boasting the latest research presentations and the largest exhibition in northern UK. So, it was a delight to see the event back again in its full, live glory at the end of last year (figure 2).
With an impressive 340 delegates attending, the event was deemed a great success by those taking part. As always, there was a mix of interactive and practice with more traditional lectures, all hosted or delivered by renowned national and international experts. The topics covered ranged from myopia management through to low vision, with a guest appearance of Dr Bill to confirm, the brains behind the bioptic telescope, who flew in from the US for the event.
So, the good news is that the SOC will go ahead in 2023 and is to be held at the Radisson Blu Glasgow on November 19. As the shy and inhibited organiser of the event, Dr Scott Mackie, told me: ‘With delicious food from the head chef and a free networking Scottish night cap the day before the conference, why would you not attend?’