Thumbs up for CET

In a poll of practitioners, the GOC receives a positive response for its CET scheme, although opinions are divided on how the scheme might be developed in the future

A new snapshot of practitioner attitudes reveals a profession split as to the future of continuous training <2212> should it be 'education and training' or the more aspirational 'continuous professional development'?

However, the survey of hundreds of professionals has found that most optometrists and dispensing opticians are supportive of the key policies of the profession's CET scheme.

A GOC poll carried out late last year quizzed optometrists and dispensing opticians as to their feelings on CET and its delivery. A variety of questions - including how many points do professionals think should be required for the now compulsory scheme, and how much work should be done to gain a point - were responded to by 456 practitioners.

CPD or CET?

Views as to whether the scheme should include points towards CPD or stay as CET, were divided, with 42 per cent (the largest proportion) in favour of some points to be allowed for CPD as well as CET.

Many (38 per cent) believed that the scheme should stay as CET only, and 13 per cent judged that there should be a separate CPD scheme (30 didn't know or didn't mind, and one respondent did not answer this question).

Dian Taylor, the GOC's director of education, told the Council's Bulletin newsletter that she shared concerns about implementing a statutory requirement for CPD.
'From the comments it seems that there might be some room to make the rules more flexible as to the type of events that are approved for CET, with registrants able to earn some points for expanding their scope of practice.
'But many feel strongly that the public protection role is best fulfilled by maintaining and reinforcing core competencies <2212> in other words, the main aspects of a practitioner's work.'
In terms of competencies, although 57 per cent of respondents believe the mix of subject areas does not matter, 31 per cent did feel that individuals should have to gain points in a minimum number of different competency areas. Just 10 per cent agreed that practitioners should gain points in all of the different competency areas.

Workable system

Taylor revealed that one of the comments that cropped up repeatedly was the need to keep the scheme simple and workable.
'We certainly agree with that sentiment,' she said, 'and I think this is one of the areas where it is quite complex to set down specific requirements.

'That said, the GOC will make every effort to encourage registrants to do a broad range of CET, and we will monitor the actual mix of competencies to assess whether future action is necessary.'

Other questions asked about the number of points required, with an overwhelming 69 per cent happy with the present scheme, although 18 per cent voted that practitioners should be required to get more points, with one in 10 wishing the current 12-points-a-year tally be reduced.

It is unlikely that a yearly cycle for the scheme will be adopted after another overwhelming majority (76 per cent) voted that the present scheme's length of three years should be maintained. Just 6 per cent thought the scheme's cycle should go on an annual basis with 16 per cent judging it should be on a five-yearly format.

Eighty-four per cent thought that the amount of work to achieve one point was about right, while 11 per cent felt that it should be easier to get a point, and 4 per cent agreed that it should get harder.

Views on delivery

Regarding how CET is delivered, 72 per cent agreed that it does not matter what type of learning an individual does, but 13 per cent said there should be a minimum number of points required in certain modalities. Almost as many (12 per cent) agreed there should be a cap on the number of points earned in some modalities, and the rest didn't know.

Over two thirds (69 per cent) of respondents agreed that individuals should be able to earn CET points for preparation and presentation of CET, although 15 per cent disagreed with the remainder not having an opinion.

And when asked whether individuals should have retrospective or prospective approval of points, 47 per cent felt that all events should be approved in advance. However, a good proportion felt that it should be possible for individuals who are overseas to get retrospective approval.

Overall, the poll show that despite initial reservations by some, the profession has grown used to the CET scheme and in many ways favours the way it is today.