View from the GOC: Preparing for the roles of the future

Developments in technology as well as an increasing demand for eye care services fuelled by the UK’s ageing population have the potential to fundamentally change the roles optical professionals carry out, providing them with opportunities to extend the scope of what they do.

That is why we are now carrying out a fundamental review of optical education. We must be forward thinking in our approach to ensure optical professionals are properly prepared to carry out the roles of the future and respond to patients’ needs.

The primary focus of our Education Strategic Review is on the education that leads to students registering with the GOC. We are considering how they can gain the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed to become well-rounded healthcare professionals prepared to carry out the roles of the future. This will involve revising our standards of education and these underpin both higher education and our CET scheme. So the review will have implications for qualified optometrists, dispensing opticians and optical students.