DOCET has now distributed a copy of its latest distance learning project, which comprises a “legal scenario” on DVD and a new Record Keeping Booklet.
The DVD shows a series of events that lead to a community optometrist having to attend a GOC Fitness to Practise Hearing. A number of scenarios are illustrated where communication with a patient and the patient’s family lead to an escalating series of misunderstandings, culminating in a serious eye condition and a subsequent complaint to the GOC.
The sketch, written by the AOP legal team, was performed as amateur dramatics at the National Optometric Conference in 2006 and was so well received that it was agreed that it should be made available to all optometrists.
The disk includes a professional commentary in the "extras" section analysing each event and the evidence given during the hearing.
RECORD CARD
To download a sample record card click here:
Sample Record Card
RECORD KEEPING BOOKLET
As an added bonus DOCET has updated its Record Keeping Booklet, which was first issued in 1999. A pdf version of this booklet is available here:
Record Keeping Booklet
ON THE RECORD - POLL RESULTS
Did you think the optometrist's Fitness to Practice was impaired? Here are the results of the poll and some of your comments: anne commented: I voted no but the GOC will find his fitness to practice impaired as his records let him down allowing the patient to lie through his teeth. In hindsight it's always easier to see what should have been done, but a good record can at least show the thinking behind the decision and advice given.
An excellent example of how things can go wrong. On 11 August 2009 at 13:54 PM Sharon commented: Had a very similar patient scenario to this recently. But I did do fields, pupil dilation and found a very small retinal tear/detachment in the far periphery that needed laser. Would easily have missed it without dilation. So although DVD is hardhitting, it is very relevant. On 10 August 2009 at 20:54 PM
Yes: 42%
No: 58%
| Course Number: C-10859/O | Closing Date: 1 September 2009 |
| CET points: 2 | Target Audience: Optometrists |
Banksy commented:
This just proves that good practitioners can make a mistake, and then get caught out by poor record keeping. Great training material for the whole practice though.
On 18 June 2009 at 17:36 PM
Antelope commented:
Taken literally his "fitness to practice" is now improved not impaired by the experiance and so there is no real point in any penalty, apart from as a deterrent to others. Although an enquiry with the stress it causes, and the damage to a practitioners reputation is deterrent enough. Would the committee find against him? Almost certainly yes. I voted No!
On 16 June 2009 at 16:15 PM
hedgehog commented:
Without the insite of the initial exam this could go either way.Scary stuff. The public can say what they like after the fact with no come back, so unfortunately we have to cover ourselves from start to finish whether we think relevant or not. Passing this on to our new receptionist!
On 13 June 2009 at 17:43 PM
Sarah commented:
There but for the grace of god go many of us! RECORD, RECORD, then RECORD some more. It is such a shame that we have to practice so defensively but such is life in this wonderful litigious society. There are a lot of big "if only" moments in this one, starting from the Px getting the wife to phone instead of doing it himself and going downhill from there. I will be showing my reception staff this one too.
On 09 June 2009 at 22:46 PM
Martin C commented:
Unlucky scenario, but that's what record keeping is for.
On 09 June 2009 at 13:02 PM
Biff commented:
Easy mistake anyone could miss this
On 09 June 2009 at 12:50 PM
Rachel D. commented:
Really difficult to say!
On 09 June 2009 at 12:49 PM