Covid: Keeping you updated 17

There was some much needed good news last week for pre-registration (aka trainee) optometrists. The lockdown and subsequent restrictions meant many trainees were forced to cease activities at a time when a considerable number were very close to completion of the required stage 1 competencies. Overall impact has varied and, sadly, a few have been laid off while the rest have had a significant break from the ‘gaining experience’ phase that is now to resume in a somewhat different form.

The GOC-approved plans for resumption of stage 1 are now widely known and, unsurprisingly, direct observation and the discussion of patient records have been replaced with Zoom-led, remote assessment, case scenario discussion and an increased use of witness testimonies, mainly from supervisors, and reflective statements from the trainees. To combat any accusations of dumbing down, I look to Dad’s Army for the paraphrase ‘there is a pandemic on you know’, and am confident that the good will of all will help these mostly excellent people achieve the required experience and standards to support the eye health of the public in the future. Plans for stage 2 and the OSCEs to be released soon.