Effective as of 1 Decber 2020, the new hours-based syst replaces the point-based requirent currently in place. CPD will also be tracked annually, instead of the present two-year rolling sche.As per the new syst, all registered optometrists will be required to complete at least 20 hours of evidence-based CPD annually. For optometrists with an endorsent in scheduled medicines, an additional 10 hours of CPD relating to therapeutic practice will also be necessary.The updated standards also require that a minimum of five CPD hours be completed in an interactive setting alongside other practitioners. A maximum of five hours of CPD on non-scientific or non-clinical activities can also count towards the total. This includes activities relating to optical goods and equipment, so long that it is relevant to practice and tangibly improves patient managent.Registrants are also required to keep a portfolio of their learning goals, planned CPD activities, and a reflection of how it has contributed to improving their practice.{{quote-A:R-W:400-I:2-Q:“To give optometrists time to familiarise thselves with the changes to the revised registration standard, it will not take effect until 1 Decber 2020” -who:Ian Bluntish, OBA}}“After extensive consultation with the profession, the Board agreed to change the CPD assessment from a points syst to one based on hours,” Mr Ian Bluntish, Optometry Board of Australia Chair, said.“To give optometrists time to familiarise thselves with the changes to the revised registration standard, it will not take effect until 1 Decber 2020.”Ms Lyn Brodie, Optometry Australia CEO, said that it was good to finally get clarity around the new CPD requirents.“The changes that the OBA have announced bring optometry into alignment with other health professions as the majority have already moved from points-based to a self-learning-based syst founded on hours,” Brodie said.“It also provides further recognition by the regulators of the significance of optometry within the health profession. We support these changes as we believe that they will generate better opportunities for optometrists to enhance their education.”Dr Ben Ashby, director of optometry at Specsavers, told Insight his organisation welcomes the transition to a CPD syst that puts improved patient care at the centre of the learning process.“This is in complete alignment with our education strategy that is built around evidence-based CPD that has a measurable impact on the care provided.”
Ashby added that when practitioners are supported with benchmarked data on their patients’ outcomes, they are able to identify their learning opportunities and development requirents, allowing th to seek the most appropriate education.“The data published in Specsavers’ State of the Nation Eye Health Report 2018 indicates that benchmarking improves the quality of care provided. Specsavers will work closely with the OBA to bring in the new syst and leverage our data to report on the anticipated national improvents in avoidable blindness detection rates.”During the transition period, the current requirent for 80 CPD points during the 1 Decber 2018 to 30 Novber 2020 period rains in place. The OBA has also kept the requirents for cardiopulmonary resuscitation training unchanged.Full details of the new requirents changes are available on the OBA website. More reading:No CPD? No excuses!SDC2: Specsavers Nationwide Dispensers’ Conference 2018
