Lecture 1: Introduction to professional standards and guidelines Flashcards
What 4 domains is the guidance for professional practice college of optometrists divided into?
What does each domain consist of?
knowledge, skills and performance
safety and quality
communication, partnership and teamwork
maintaining trust
key points
detailed topic information
useful information and links
references
What is the guidance for professional practice terminology?
“Must”: where you have a legal or regulatory obligation to follow the guidance
“Should”: where the COO would normally expect you to follow that course of action.
-If you apply your professional judgement and decide to take a different action, you must be able to justify your action.
When is the guidance for professional practice updated?
What is the aim of the guidance?
Updated every 3 years (significant changes will be updated in interim)
Sets out what is expected of optometrists in all work environments
It ensures that Optoms put patients’ interests first, and work in partnership with them so they receive the best possible care.
What is the general optical council’s requirements for continued work?
Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
– Previously called CET
Currently 36 points required over 3 years, minimum of 6 per year.
Must include peer review and interactive CPD. Must cover range of topics.
The College encourages you to take responsibility for, and participate in, professional development beyond CPD requirements.
What are important points about patient records according to the guidance for professional practice?
-You must keep full, accurate and clear patient records, made at the time of the examination, which provide a history of patient care, including referrals.
-You may use abbreviations, but only common ones (list given in Annex2)
-If you keep electronic records, you or your practice should have an IT disaster recovery plan, regular data backups etc.
-You must comply with the Data Protection Act 2018.
-Patients have a right to access their records.
-A very detailed description given of what should be included in records. If you don’t record all of this, you may need to explain why
What are specific points from the gudance for professional practice about a routine eye exam?
You must carry out such examinations as appear to be necessary to detect signs of injury, disease or abnormality in the eye or elsewhere.
In addition to the minimum legal requirements, you should use your professional judgement to decide the format and content of the eye examination.
You should record all clinical findings.
You should tell the patient your findings and recommendations.
The frequency of eye examinations depends on the patient’s clinical needs but there are recommended minimum intervals.
What must you do to mantain a good relationship with your patients?
-Make the care of the patient your first and continuing concern
-Give patients information in a way they can understand and make them aware of the options available.
-Respect patients’ dignity and privacy.
-Listen to patients and take account of their views.
-Assist patients in exercising their rights and making informed decisions about their care.
-Respect the choices that patients make.
What must you do to maintain honesty and integrity?
-You must be honest and trustworthy.
-You must make the care of the patient your first and continuing concern.
-You must not discriminate against patients or colleagues.
-You must act quickly to protect patients from risks posed by colleagues.
-You must inform the General Optical Council (GOC) of any matter that may impair your fitness to practise.
-Your financial and commercial practices must not compromise patient safety.
-You must not accept inducements or gifts that may be seen as affecting your patient care.
-You must be covered by adequate and appropriate insurance to practise in the United Kingdom throughout the period of your registration.
