New framework for optical competencies

The General Optical Council will consult on a new unified competency framwork for optics in the UK. The proposed framework takes on board best practice from Australia and the work of the World Council of Optometry. Competencies would be expressed in ‘units’, ‘elements’, ‘performance criteria’ and ‘indicators’. The new framework will mean that competencies shared by optometrists and dispensing opticians will be stated in the same terms, and that there is a clear understanding of the meaning of key terms, such as ‘ability’, ‘knowledge’ and ‘understanding’. The content of the competencies will be the subject of a second consultation, planned for 2008.

News – 28 June 2007