Dispensing subject 1 - Communication Skills

We continue our weekly look at the GOC core competencies by expanding our argument over the significance of good communication skills for accurate history and symptoms taking

So far we have concentrated on core subject 1 for the optometrist but the GOC has also listed the competencies for the dispensing profession. It might be argued that both optometric and dispensing professionals have a similar responsibility to adopt adequate communication skills for the good of the patient. The breakdown of the competencies issued by the GOC shows a slightly different bias for dispensing opticians.
 

CRITICAL COMPETENCES

APPLIED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
An understanding of the importance and significance of family history, signs and symptoms including a recognition of the importance of the