OEL promotes value of extra skills training

Highlighting specialist skills or gaining greater experience in a specific area by means of the College of Optometrists' Higher Diploma Ð or Higher Qualifications Ð is a possible means of standing out from the crowd, claims optometric education group OEL.
However, the company admits take-up of these courses has been 'slower than hoped'.
Caroline Christie, OEL director said: 'In my view the perception is perhaps that gaining College Higher Diplomas or Higher Qualifications will have little effect on one's career.
'However all that is, we believe, set to change as the profession inevitably differentiates into those who want to enhance their clinical skills and those who wish to continue to offer basic-level services,' she claimed.
'If we add in compulsory CET and possible unemployment in optometry, then I am sure there will be a sea-change in attitudes.'
OEL is to stage an initial course in London on June 14. It will be a general update in clinical knowledge in five specific areas: glaucoma, diabetes, low vision, therapeutics and binocular vision as well as three other presentations dealing with record-keeping, referral criteria and inflammation in contact lens wear. Speakers will include Dr Simon Barnard, Caroline Christie, Professor Bruce Evans, Bill Harvey, Greg Heath and Dan Rosser. A panel, including a College of Optometrists representative, will answer queries regarding the diploma system and how to best prepare for the assessment.
Further courses are planned, including all the previously mentioned areas plus contact lenses, with an advanced binocular vision course scheduled for August 5 at Aston University.
www.optometrist.co.ukPractitioners who want to differentiate themselves from increasing numbers of new optometry graduates are being targeted by a series of educational courses later this year.
Highlighting specialist skills or gaining greater experience in a specific area by means of the College of Optometrists' Higher Diploma Ð or Higher Qualifications Ð is a possible means of standing out from the crowd, claims optometric education group OEL.
However, the company admits take-up of these courses has been 'slower than hoped'.
Caroline Christie, OEL director said: 'In my view the perception is perhaps that gaining College Higher Diplomas or Higher Qualifications will have little effect on one's career.
'However all that is, we believe, set to change as the profession inevitably differentiates into those who want to enhance their clinical skills and those who wish to continue to offer basic-level services,' she claimed.
'If we add in compulsory CET and possible unemployment in optometry, then I am sure there will be a sea-change in attitudes.'
OEL is to stage an initial course in London on June 14. It will be a general update in clinical knowledge in five specific areas: glaucoma, diabetes, low vision, therapeutics and binocular vision as well as three other presentations dealing with record-keeping, referral criteria and inflammation in contact lens wear. Speakers will include Dr Simon Barnard, Caroline Christie, Professor Bruce Evans, Bill Harvey, Greg Heath and Dan Rosser. A panel, including a College of Optometrists representative, will answer queries regarding the diploma system and how to best prepare for the assessment.
Further courses are planned, including all the previously mentioned areas plus contact lenses, with an advanced binocular vision course scheduled for August 5 at Aston University.
www.optometrist.co.uk