College president responds to Black Arts article

The president of the College of Optometrists, Professor Ed Mallen, has responded to an article published in the August issue of Dispensing Optics written by Peter Black (‘Pride and prejudice’, page 29).

Professor Mallen writes: “The College of Optometrists acknowledges the important working relationship that its members have with their dispensing optician (DO) counterparts, and their work as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team.

“As mentioned in Peter’s article, we have actively encouraged members to undertake the Essential Skills in Medical Education (ESME) course, in which multiple professionals can train and learn from one another. This also applies to College-accredited higher qualification courses, which are open to other healthcare practitioners.

“There are several other ways in which we work with ABDO directly to encourage inter-disciplinary learning; for example, ABDO has delivered workshops at our conference, is a member of our Guidance Review Group, is involved and consulted on relevant policy issues and our workforce survey sought responses from DOs.

“In managing DOCET, the College works to the mandate set by the UK government bodies for the scheme. The brief and funding for DOCET is specifically to deliver e-learning to GOC-registered optometrists and to provide content that helps optometrists maintain their registration and core competence.

“However, we have already started discussions with ABDO, who is represented on the DOCET Council, in order to identify which DOCET materials would be beneficial for DOs.”

ABDO members can access back issues of Dispensing Optics here.