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As a dispensing optician, I am worried about the lack of interactive distance learning CET available.
This is a common concern at present. Dispensing opticians are finding they need half of their points from interactive events and many might not have regularly attended conferences and courses before. This may be partly due to the lack of CET funding available from government. We have already launched the first such exercise - Module C30610, Interactive Dispensing 1 - which is available to all subscribers on our website until March 7. Starting late spring, Optician is running a complete course of dispensing and this will be interspersed with a number of related interactive activities. As a dispensing optician you are aware that the subject of optical appliances is not the only one for which you have to undertake CET, and Optician aims to publish more than enough to offer you your annual requirement using this modality. Obviously, attendance at events is always to be encouraged and we will endeavour to keep readers up to date on what is happening out there.
Having read the interactive CET article in Optician (C30610), I went on to complete the MCQ questions online and received the final three interactive questions from you by email, as promised. I have now spent the last two days trying to find an appropriate answer for the three questions, and have only partially succeeded. Although all sources agree that the answer to question 2 is 5 degrees there is disagreement on the value for question 1. Which one value is right? The third question is causing some problems for both myself, colleagues and prescription houses alike. Having discussed the matter with colleagues and three prescription houses, we are all agreed that the final question doesn't add up. All agree that the length of side is predetermined by the frame manufacturer on the frame supplied and unless specified differently by the dispenser the Rx house has no interest in the measurement. It would seem 'age' is only relevant in differentiating between adult and child.
An excellent query and very timely. Some of you are just starting to get to grips with interactivity and a good interactive exercise is one that encourages debate between you and your colleagues. The didactic part of the exercise, where there is just one right or wrong answer, has already been completed. The points you raised are spot on and exactly what the exercise is meant to encourage.
There is no right or wrong answer here - the exercise is merely a means to promote discussion and reflection on the topic. The length of side question is a good example of making an assumption, when the age of the patient is not known, which is not in the best interests of the final fit if, for example, a child was to be dispensed.
The email you sent is more than enough evidence of your having undertaken interaction and is the sort of evidence we are looking for to confirm you have undertaken the required interaction at your end.
Importantly, there is no pass or fail on the answers here! The final thoughts of the author will always be published when the exercise ceases to be active (two months after it starts).
The email you sent would be the one we expect to be sent to the interactivecet@rbi.co.uk box as evidence. Future exercises will always be based on areas needing debate or discussion - otherwise we may as well stick to the old MCQ style format. We expect a range of answers including some suggesting that there is lack of clarity over some issues. That is very much the point. Your comments are all valid and this will be outlined in a supportive document we will publish at the end of the active period for this exercise.