As we enter the final phase of this cycle of the General Optical Council (GOC) continuing professional development (CPD) scheme, dispensing opticians and optometrists will be looking to make sure they fulfil the requirements as set out under the new scheme.

CPD is a recognised and systematic way of tracking your continued professional development, helping you to document and reflect on the formal and informal learning undertaken (figure 1).


Figure 1: Lorcan Butler delivering a peer review session


Completion of CPD is a statutory requirement for all GOC registered eye care professionals (ECPs) under standard 5.21 of the standards of practice for optometrists and dispensing opticians: ‘Keep your knowledge and skills up to date’. This requires all ECPs to form a commitment to maintaining and developing their knowledge and skills throughout their career. 

To be aware of current good practice, consider all relevant developments in clinical research and apply this to the care that they provide. In addition to this, ECPs are required to reflect on their continued learning and way of practicing, and always seek to improve the quality of care they provide to their patients. Under the current CPD scheme, optometrists and dispensing opticians are required to obtain a minimum of 36 points across four domains during the three-year cycle, earning a minimum of six points per year.2 

At the beginning of the cycle the GOC stated the new CPD scheme ‘is a framework to make sure that all registrants are maintaining their existing skills, while having the flexibility to tailor their learning to current and future practice, career aspirations and professional interests’.3 So, what is different compared to the previous continuing educational training (CET) scheme that ran until this current cycle began in January 2022?

Personal Development Plan

All registrants are required to complete and upload a personal development plan (PDP) onto the MyCPD portal and answer scope of practice questions before any CPD points can be uploaded. The purpose of the PDP is to support registrants to consider and plan individual learning goals as well as how the learning will be applied to day-to-day practice. 

It should help to set an agenda for CPD undertaken as well as help to plan that all learning and development is meaningful to individual work and scope of practice. The GOC have produced a template with a guide to help registrants complete this and create a plan,4 although registrants are also welcome to use their own. Within this guidance they advise that the PDP must include:

  • The learning outcomes (LOs) registrants wish to achieve.
  • A plan detailing how the learning outcomes will be achieved through provider-led or self-directed CPD.
  • A time frame for completion of each learning outcome.

The GOC’s PDP template consists of seven headings (table 1). So why might a PDP be useful? Having a PDP helps to identify strengths and weaknesses and provides clear learning and development goals. In addition to this, it not only improves performance as an ECP, but it can also increase motivation and help track progress.5


Table 1: Personal development plan – guidance4


Creating a PDP provides an opportunity to consider what CPD activities will help to maintain and develop clinical practice as an ECP. It should help to make relevant and informed choices about which CPD activities are undertaken to maintain and improve knowledge, clinical skills and deliver the best patient care.

The ideal approach is to think of the PDP as a roadmap for the CPD journey. It may be necessary to take a few detours on the way, but having a plan will ensure registrants are heading in the right direction. Many registrants have struggled to create a PDP due to a lack of understanding, particularly when it comes to developing LOs.

Developing a personal development plan and learning objectives

1. Analyse4

The first step is to identify your development needs. Think about where you want to be by the end of the current cycle and how you plan to get there. Determine what are strengths and weaknesses, consider feedback from colleagues or patients, ability to use equipment/products or if further training is required. 

Are there any gaps in your knowledge? Many people find it helpful to create a Swot analysis; this helps you to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (Swot). These four areas can be used as a framework to identify what could help or hinder personal development as a clinician. A Swot analysis aims to:

  • Promote your strengths.
  • Reduce your weaknesses.
  • Exploit the opportunities that may be available to you.
  • Minimise threats to your success.4

2. Identify4

Once clear goals have been identified, break them down into steps and ensure  LOs are focused by using Smart objectives (specific, measurable, achievable, relatable and time-bound). Using this approach eliminates ambiguity and guesswork, sets a clear timeline, helps to track progress and identify missed areas of learning.

  • Specific – Avoid ambiguity, ensure goals are specific and clearly highlight the skills, knowledge and/or experience where development is required.
  • Measurable – A clearly defined  LO provides the opportunity to measure progress and assess whether the outcome has been achieved.
  • Achievable –  LOs need to be realistic and achievable within the timeframe and available resources.
  • Relatable –  LOs should relate to personal PDP, scope of practice and development needs.
  • Time-bound – Set realistic deadlines for achieving each  LO. Setting a clear timeline helps to stay focused and prioritise learning.

It is helpful to remember that personal development and CPD is a journey, and that a PDP will continue to grow and develop as the cycle progresses. Think of a PDP as a live document adding or amending  LOs as the cycle progresses. Once LOs have been established the next step is to prioritise them when considering which CPD to undertake.

Here are some examples of LOs:

  • By the end of this CPD cycle I will be able to compare and critically appraise research evidence for myopia management treatment options.
  • By the end of the first half of this CPD cycle I will be able to discuss the different myopia management treatment options including lifestyle advice with patients and parents/carers.
  • By the end of this CPD cycle I will be able to explain the difference in available dry eye drops to patients.


Domains

The number of points required under the new CPD scheme has remained the same as the previous CET scheme (table 2). 


The previous competency-based criteria has been replaced with four core domains, all of which must be covered by all registrants in the CPD cycle:

  1. Professionalism
  2. Communication
  3. Clinical practice
  4. Leadership and accountability

There is a further fifth domain for those registrants with specialty registration, contact lens optician and optometrists with an additional supply (AS), supplementary prescribing (SP) or independent prescribing (IP) speciality.

5a Speciality CPD – contact lens optician

5b Speciality CPD – AS/ SP/ IP optometrist

The idea behind the new domains is to allow for registrants to be able to get involved in a wider variety of learning and development unlike the previous rigid competency-based structure.

Interactive CPD

At least 18 of the 36 CPD points must be obtained through interactive CPD,2 this provides the opportunity for registrants to learn alongside, and with, peers allowing for reinforcement of  LOs and reducing the risk of professional isolation. 

Interactive CPD can take the form physical attendance at an organised event, in person or online, or distance learning, which includes some form of interaction with peers.

Peer review

All registrants are required to complete at least one peer review per cycle.2 Given that optometrists and dispensing opticians are peers, these can take place with groups made up of both types of registrants and can take place at GOC approved events (provider-led peer review) or organised as self-directed events among peers (registrant-led peer review).

All registrant-led peer reviews must be based on a topic that is relevant to a maximum of two core domains (or two core domains and one speciality domain).6 Confidentiality must be maintained if discussing cases involving patients and groups should ensure they arrange enough time to allow for meaningful discussions and learning to take place; all group members must contribute to the discussions.

All peer reviews require the completion of a reflection statement to be uploaded onto the MyCPD portal along with the relevant evidence of attendance, regardless of the type of event they have attended. The GOC explain for each registrant category of peer review what constitutes a peer (table 3).


Self-directed CPD

One of the biggest changes to be included in the new scheme was the introduction of self-directed CPD, although it is worth bearing in mind that it is not a requirement. Self-directed CPD offers registrants the option to complete CPD activities from sources other than GOC accredited providers in a range of formats7 (table 4).



For those wishing to complete self-directed CPD, there are conditions that they must meet:

  • The learning must be relevant to their professional role.
  • The details of the CPD must be logged, alongside evidence, detailing what learning was undertaken, how it was undertaken and how long was spent on it.
  • All registrants undertaking self-directed CPD must complete a reflection statement, explaining why it is relevant to their scope of practice.
  • A minimum of 18 of the CPD points obtained in any given cycle must be from a GOC accredited provider.

The purpose behind the introduction of self-directed CPD is to include learning from other sources relevant to individual scope of practice towards CPD total requirements. It may be that some registrants working in areas of the profession such as industry or academia want to develop their knowledge and skillset beyond what may be provided by GOC providers. 

Registrants, for example, may be undertaking research as part of Master’s degree, completed a data protection course or attended a course on leadership – these are all eligible for self-directed CPD points. The GOC have given the following advice with regards to what can be claimed for self-directed CPD:2,7

  • Any learning that is over 30 minutes but less than one hour is worth 0.5 points.
  • Any learning lasting for one hour or more is worth one point.
  • Registrant-led peer reviews are worth three points.

Self-directed CPD can count towards interactive points, inclusive of peer reviews, provided it meets the relevant criteria and evidence to this effect is uploaded to the MyCPD portal. A recent change in guidance now means self-directed learning can count towards speciality points.

Evidence of completion of self-directed CPD is required for example, a certificate confirming attendance of an event from event organisers or evidence of the learning that has taken place. In addition to this a reflection statement must be completed for all self-directed CPD.

Uploading points on the MyCPD portal

Under the previous CET scheme points were uploaded to the GOC by the CPD provider and registrants were required to either accept or reject points. However, under the new scheme, the onus is on the registrant to upload their own points along with evidence of successful completion usually by a certificate issued by the CPD provider. 

As the end of this current cycle is approaching it is advisable to organise all CPD certificates in a computer folder so they can be accessed easily or in case of selection for a registrant review.

Reflection statement

All registrants are encouraged to reflect on their learning and development throughout the CPD cycle. There is the option to complete a short reflective statement for any CPD activity undertaken however reflection must be completed for all peer reviews and self-directed CPD activities. 

Reflecting on the CPD activities enables consideration of what has been learnt, whether it links back to PDP LOs, and how this learning can be applied in practice. The knowledge, skills or insights that have been gained and whether they achieved the anticipated LOs. If so, how? If not, why not?

Many registrants struggle to write effective reflection statements. According to Schon,8 reflective practice is ‘the ability to reflect on one’s actions so as to engage in a process of continuous learning’ honest reflection empowers ECPs to evolve, adapt and provide better patient care.

Key points for reflection:

  • Refer to PDP LOs – What knowledge or skills were gained? Have the LOs been achieved? If so, how have they been achieved? If not, why were they not achieved?
  • Allocate sufficient time to reflect – It is important to set aside time soon after completing a CPD activity and it should not be rushed, each learning experience should be carefully considered.
  • Relate the learning back to your practice – It is important to give thought as to how the CPD activity undertaken may influence future practice.

Reflective exercise

Another introduction to the new CPD scheme is the requirement to undertake a reflective exercise at the end of each cycle.9 This is a requirement for all registrants and involves reflection with a peer. This cannot be a friend or relative, a peer is another dispensing optician/optometrist/contact lens optician/specialty AS/SP/IP optometrist in a similar role. 

It can also be with another regulated healthcare professional for example, orthoptist, ophthalmologist, ophthalmic nurse, etc, depending on the specific work carried out by the registrant in practice.

This reflective exercise may take place from July 1 of the last year of the CPD cycle10 however, it is worth remembering that registrants need to have completed most, if not all, of their CPD requirements before this reflective exercise can take place. This allows for a more meaningful discussion against their PDP. 

In order for this requirement to be fulfilled, it would be advisable to aim to have completed all of the CPD requirement by October of the final year of the cycle, as this will ensure there is sufficient time remaining to undertake this reflective exercise.

The purpose of this exercise is for registrants to discuss and document reflections on their progress against their PDP and CPD requirements, as well as reflections about their professional practice more generally over the course of the current cycle. The GOC have provided a template that registrants may use to record the exercise and then upload on to the MyCPD portal.

The GOC state that registrants should reflect on:

  • The PDP, CPD activity and reflection statements already carried out to date9 and think about what other CPD activities need to be completed before the end of the cycle (if any).
  • Other information collected about professional practice, such as feedback from a line manager or employer, patient satisfaction and / or clinical audit (where available).3


Figure 2: Allow time to for reflective practice


This reflective exercise may take place in person, online or via a telephone call.9 Both peers must upload evidence that this has taken place and that they have carried out this exercise with each other. This reflective exercise may then be used by the registrant to consider what they may want to undertake by way of CPD in the next cycle.

Plans and career pathways change, and registrants may not have met all the LOs in their PDP. This is no cause for concern providing the minimum CPD requirement for the cycle have been met. The reflective exercise is also an opportunity to state why CPD has been undertaken that differs to what was originally set out in the PDP.

Practical tips

  • A PDP with clearly defined LOs helps to plan CPD activities and look out for CPD that will fulfil the set learning goals.
  • As a CPD activity is completed take time to reflect on the learning achieved, how it links back to PDP LOs and how this learning can be applied to practice. This makes completing a reflective statement much easier rather than leaving it until CPD points are uploaded to the MyCPD portal, especially given that it may take anything up to 10 working days to receive the certificate from the CPD provider.
  • Once a CPD certificate has been received, upload the CPD points on the MyCPD portal. One of the best ways to keep organised is to create a CPD certificate folder stored on computer. Every time a CPD certificate is received download and save it into this folder, along with the reflective statement.
  • The most obvious tip is to not to leave completing or uploading CPD until the last few months of the cycle. This only causes a scramble for available CPD and does not result in effective learning. Every year there is a rush among registrants to be able to gain their minimum points right up until the very end of the year. With the requirement for the completion of a reflective exercise it becomes even more important not to leave it all until the end of the cycle.

Finally, registrants should try to view the requirement of CPD as something that is not onerous but rather something that allows them to find and pursue areas of interest within the profession and supports them in providing the most up-to-date, evidence-based care for their patients. 

References

  1. General Optical Council. Standards of Practice for Optometrists and dispensing Opticians, keep your knowledge and skills up to date. London: General Optical Council; 2016. P. 10
  2. General Optical Council. Continuing Professional Development A guide for registrants. Available from: https://optical.org/media/2ssmwxmg/cpd_a-guide-for-registrants_v5_may_2024.pdf [Accessed 21 May 2024]
  3. General Optical Council. Why we introduced CPD. https://optical.org/en/education-and-cpd/continuing-professional-development/why-we-introduced-cpd/ [Accessed 21 May 2024]
  4. General Optical Council. Personal development plan – guidance. https://optical.org/media/gadlkx4h/personal-development-plan-guidance.pdf.[Accessed 29 February 2024]
  5. Putter, M, 2021. What is a personal development plan? CPD online college. https://cpdonline.co.uk/knowledge-base/business/what-are-personal-development-plans/. [Last updated 20 December 2023. Last accessed 29 February 2024].
  6. General Optical Council. How-to-guide: Registrant-led peer review. Available from: https://optical.org/en/news/blog/how-to-guide-registrant-led-peer-review/ [Accessed 21 May 2024]
  7. General Optical Council. Self-directed CPD – format guidance for registrants. Available from: https://optical.org/media/e1ahdmjb/self-directed-cpd-format-guidance-for-registrants-2023-1.pdf [Accessed 21 May 2024]
  8. Schön DA. The Reflective Practitioner. How professionals think in action. London: Routledge Taylor and Francis Group; 1982
  9. General Optical Council. Reflective exercise. Available from: https://optical.org/en/education-and-cpd/continuing-professional-development/information-for-registrants/reflective-exercise/  [Accessed 21 May 2024]