As part of our Continuing Education and Training (CET) Review, we have been analysing data from the 2016-18 cycle to identify trends in practitioner behaviour and explore ways we can help and support optometrists and dispensing opticians. We will be publishing an in-depth report later this year. Our initial analysis has revealed a range of useful insights.
The current CET scheme aims to boost standards across the professions and ensure that registrants update their skills and knowledge throughout the duration of the cycle. The scheme encourages registrants to take part in more interactive forms of learning and increases opportunities for registrants to engage with peers and reflect on good practice.
Our figures show that the scheme has been effective in reducing professional isolation, with 72% of registrants completing more than the minimum requirement of one peer review session. Peer review is not mandatory for dispensing opticians, yet despite this, 83% completed a peer review and more than half (57%) completed more than one.
Similarly, registrants are taking the opportunity to reflect on their practice and learning, above and beyond the minimum requirements set by the GOC. All registrants used the personal development plan on MyCET and many recorded other activities that had not been approved for CET. We also found that 80% of registrants had created additional learning goals other than the set minimum of one, and 60% used reflection statements to reflect on activities other than peer review.
We are delighted the CET scheme continues to support the development of optometrists and dispensing opticians.
The full CET cycle evaluation report will be published in November.