36 Questions
What is the primary mission of the Association of Optometrists (AOP)?
To promote optometrists' interests and provide unrivalled support
What is the purpose of the College of Optometrists?
To provide pre-registration training and continuous professional development
What is the main purpose of the Guidance for Professional Practice?
To define good practice and permit professional judgement
What is the Duty of Candour?
A moral obligation to be open and honest with patients
Which of the following medicines can an optometrist supply in an emergency or with a signed order?
Amethocaine
Who can register opticians?
The General Optical Council (GOC)
What is the primary purpose of the Medicines Act?
To classify medicines into different categories
Who does the Mental Capacity Act 2005 apply to?
Everyone involved in the care, treatment or support of people who are unable to make all or some decisions themselves
What is the main purpose of the Opticians Act 1989?
To register and train opticians
What is the primary purpose of the General Optical Council (GOC)?
To maintain a register of opticians
What is the main purpose of the General Optical Council (GOC)?
To regulate optometrists, dispensing opticians, student optometrists, and student dispensing opticians
What is one of the core functions of the General Optical Council (GOC)?
Approving qualifications leading to registration
What is the responsibility of the College of Optometrists in relation to the General Optical Council (GOC)?
Examining for registration
What is the primary focus of the General Optical Council (GOC) when making decisions about patient care?
The needs and preferences of patients
What is a key principle of professional conduct for optometrists and dispensing opticians?
Maintaining confidentiality and respecting patients' privacy
What is a responsibility of optometrists and dispensing opticians when interacting with patients?
Obtaining valid consent
What is an expectation of optometrists and dispensing opticians in their professional practice?
Showing respect and fairness to others and not discriminating
What is a consequence of not meeting the standards of professional conduct set by the General Optical Council (GOC)?
Investigation and action by the GOC
Who can make decisions on behalf of an individual who lacks capacity?
An attorney appointed under a lasting power of attorney
What is the assumption that should be made about an adult's capacity to make decisions?
That they have capacity unless proven otherwise
Who is entitled to a free NHS sight test?
People under 16, or under 19 and in full-time education
What is the value of the GOS test?
£21.71
What is the purpose of the Gillick competence?
To determine if a child can consent to a medical treatment
What is the requirement for claiming a voucher for tinted lenses?
The tint must be prescribed by a hospital and supplied on clinical grounds
How many optical voucher values are there?
10
What is the first step in becoming a qualified optometrist?
Obtain an accredited degree in optometry
What is the purpose of the pre-registration period?
To complete a supervised practice and additional training
What is the Scheme for Registration administered by?
The College of Optometrists
What is the primary purpose of the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check in the registration process with the GOC?
To ensure the applicant has no criminal convictions that would make them unsuitable to practice
What is the primary purpose of the annual renewal fee in the GOC registration process?
To pay for the administration costs of the GOC
What is the primary requirement for professional indemnity insurance in the UK?
It is mandatory for all practicing optometrists in the UK
What is the primary purpose of the pre-registration period?
To ensure that applicants have completed their education and training
What is the primary consequence of not completing the continuing professional development (CPD) requirements?
The optometrist will not be able to renew their registration
What is the primary document required to demonstrate proof of qualification?
Degree certificate
What is the primary purpose of the online application form on the GOC's website?
To enable applicants to submit their registration application
What is the primary purpose of the annual renewal process?
To ensure that optometrists remain up-to-date with the latest practices and knowledge in optometry
Study Notes
General Optical Council (GOC)
- Established by Opticians Act 1958 to regulate optometry
- Regulates optometrists, dispensing opticians, student optometrists, and student dispensing opticians
- 4 core functions:
- Setting standards for optical education and training, performance, and conduct
- Approving qualifications leading to registration
- Maintaining a register of qualified and fit individuals to practice, train, or carry on business as optometrists and dispensing opticians
- Investigating and acting where registrants' fitness to practice, train, or carry on business is impaired
Guidance for Professional Practice
- Set by professional bodies, not legislation
- Defines good practice
- Not instructions
- Permit professional judgement
- Sections include:
- Knowledge, skills, and guidance
- Safety and quality
- Communication, partnership, and teamwork
- Maintaining trust
GOC Standards for Optometrists
- 18 standards:
- Listen to patients and put them at the heart of decisions about their care
- Communicate effectively with patients
- Obtain valid consent
- Show care and compassion for patients
- Keep knowledge and skills up to date
- Recognize and work within limits of competence
- Conduct appropriate assessments, examinations, treatments, and referrals
- Maintain adequate patient records
- Ensure supervision is undertaken appropriately and complies with the law
- Work collaboratively with colleagues in the interests of patients
- Protect and safeguard patients, colleagues, and others from harm
- Ensure a safe environment for patients
- Show respect and fairness to others and do not discriminate
- Maintain confidentiality and respect patients' privacy
- Maintain appropriate boundaries with others
- Be honest and trustworthy
- Do not damage the reputation of the profession through conduct
- Respond to complaints effectively
- Be candid when things have gone wrong
Representative Bodies
- Association of Optometrists (AOP):
- Provides services to its members (optometrists)
- Mission is to protect individual professional interests and provide unrivaled support for delivering high-quality eye care
- Vision is to assist members in prospering in their practice and for eye health and the work of members to be recognized by the public as an important health benefit
- College of Optometrists:
- Provides pre-registration training and assessment, and continuous professional development
- Purpose is to improve and conserve human vision, advance the study of optometry, and promote the science and practice of optometry
Legislation
- Opticians Act 1989:
- General Optical Council
- Registration and training of opticians
- Fitness to Practice
- Proceedings and appeals
- Restrictions
- Miscellaneous
- Medicines Act:
- Classification of medicines:
- Prescription Only Medicines (POM)
- Pharmacy medicines (P)
- General Sales List (GSL)
- Classification of medicines:
- Mental Capacity Act 2005:
- Applies to everyone involved in the care, treatment, or support of people who are unable to make decisions
- Presumption of capacity: must work on the presumption that every adult has the capacity to make decisions
- Must not assume an adult lacks capacity based on certain factors (e.g., age, disability, appearance)
- Gillick Competence:
- Children with sufficient understanding and intelligence to enable them to understand fully what is involved in a proposed intervention also have the capacity to consent
GOS Benefits, Fees, and Charges
- Entitled to a free NHS sight test if:
- Under 16 or under 19 and in full-time education
- Aged 60 or over
- Registered blind or partially sighted
- Diagnosed as having diabetes or glaucoma
- Aged 40 or over with first-degree relative with glaucoma, or advised by an ophthalmologist that you are at risk of glaucoma
- GOS test fee: £21.71
- Optical voucher values: 10 categories (A-J)
Education and Training
- Complete an accredited undergraduate degree in optometry
- Complete a pre-registration period (often referred to as the pre-reg year)
- Pass the Professional Qualifying Examination
- Apply for registration with the GOC
- Maintain registration through annual renewal and continuing professional development (CPD)
Duty of Candour
- Must be open and honest if something goes wrong with treatment or care
- Must:
- Tell the patient when something goes wrong
- Apologize to the patient
- Offer remedy or support
- Explain the short-term and long-term effects to the patient
- Must be open and honest with healthcare professionals, employers, and other organizations
This quiz covers the General Optical Council's role in regulating optometrists, dispensing opticians, and students. It includes the 4 core functions of the GOC, including setting standards and maintaining a register of qualified individuals.
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