Dr Peter Frampton, a visiting lecturer for Independent Prescribing at the University of Hertfordshire, and Honorary Lecturer at Manchester University gives his view of opportunities to engage in advanced practice.

Whilst clinical professionals are committed to providing excellent care, complaints can and do arise. This month we discuss strategies to help students effectively manage complaints.

Consent is a legal obligation and fundamental ethical principle in healthcare. Approaches and style must be adapted according to the individual patient.

This month we look at ways in which optometry and ophthalmic dispensing learners can employ an adaptive and personalised approach to patient care.

David Jameson, optometrist, discusses how to help students know when to call in the supervisor, and how to encourage effective clinical decision making in trainees.

Whilst all courses should equip learners with the knowledge and skills to do well in exam situations, they can be a source of anxiety, so must be managed to ensure optimal performance.

Optical professionals place great emphasis on making decisions based on evidence, but it can be difficult to connect research findings with the patient experience. Specialist Optometrist, Matt Roney answers key questions on how to develop decision making skills in learners.

We look at how to instil duty of candour in optometry and ophthalmic dispensing learners and how to handle failure productively.

Guest contributor, Professor Irene Ctori, Associate Dean Undergraduate Studies, City, University of London gives her insight into the value of teamwork and how it can be instilled in optometry and dispensing optician learners.

This month, guest contributor, Alexandra Webster, Head of CPD, ABDO gives her thoughts on reflective practice.

A clinical audit can enhance skills in research, data collection, data interpretation, collaboration, feedback and reflection.

Adopting these simple techniques can enhance the confidence of optometry and ophthalmic dispensing learners when communicating with patients.