The All-Wales Case-based discussion initiative in Optometry: An evaluation

As of January 2013 the General Optical Council states that all optometrists must engage in at least one case-based discussion (CbD) per cycle.

The purpose of the re-accreditation case discussions is to improve the optometric management of WEHE/ PEARS cases with an emphasis on reporting and referrals to secondary care and GPs.

Aims

The aim of this project was to explore the acceptability, effectiveness and long-term impact-on-practice of the method as a mode of continuing education delivery.

Data sources

The focus of the evaluation was all participants in their first CbD groups in the two month period January to February 2012, the knowledge they develop and how this is applied to their practice. Participants attended an evening session comprising a lecture and a group discussion. Three questionnaires were completed: prior to the session (demographic information, self-rating of current knowledge and opinions on attending the session), immediately post-session (items of learning and future learning needs, planned changes to practice and views on participating in the session) and 3-4 months post-session (learning from the session and changes made to practice). All questionnaires were individually coded to allow matching.

Further information

The project was funded by The General Optometry Council and carried out in collaboration with Wales Optometry Postgraduate Education Centre (WOPEC).