The College of Optometrists

30 June 2006

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DOCET has identified advanced investigative techniques as a priority training area for optometrists, reflecting trends within the optometric profession expanding the scope of practice into shared care and co-management, and the development of optometrists with specialist interests.

Clinical Skills DVD: In order to give as many practitioners as possible the chance to improve and extend their practical skills, DOCET has produced a DVD to support a series of UK-wide, practical workshops covering indirect ophthalmoscopy, contact tonometry and anterior angle assessment – including gonioscopy, which will be distributed to all UK optometrists at the beginning of August.

Clinical Skills Workshops: DOCET has also commissioned Replay Learning to run eleven workshops throughout the UK in September. The workshops will give practitioners the opportunity to practise these skills in small groups under the supervision of expert tutors, who have experience of using the techniques in a day-to-day clinical setting. A delegate fee of £30 (inc VAT) includes all refreshments and full colour support notes on all the workshop procedures. CET approval for 6 points per event has been sought. Demand for these practical workshops is expected to be high and due to the nature of small group training, numbers are limited so book now to make sure you get your place.

Rob Hogan, Chairman of the DOCET Committee commented "Modern optometric practice requires today's optometrist to be proficient in a far wider range of investigative techniques than were taught at university. If we are to effectively undertake extended roles, in support of the move from secondary to primary eyecare, then we all need to make every effort to gain the skills required to become confident in our abilities.

That is why DOCET has decided to prioritise Clinical Skills Workshops, supported by a Distance Learning DVD. The DVD and workshops are designed to complement each other and to recognise differing learning styles - the DVD offering the theory and the workshops providing an opportunity to have a go."

For more information or to book a place on the clinical workshops call 0870 119 0627 or visit www.docet.info.