This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
CE evaluation conference stresses assessment, disclosure
|
|
ATLANTA – As part of the National Optometric Continuing Education Conference held last spring, participants developed conclusions and recommendations in the areas of continued competence, the Council on Optometric Practitioner Education system, a possible postgraduate curriculum and industry support of continuing education. Jerry A. Richt, OD, a director of the Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry, presented these findings during a press conference at SECO.
The final report from the NOCEC assesses the status of continuing education, Dr. Richt said. Participants included 17 regulatory boards, including state boards, and 22 CE providers. “Position papers were presented, breakout groups were organized and conclusions were developed,” he said.
Common conclusions among breakout groups
Similarities existed among the conclusions in different groups, Dr. Richt said. “The organizers desired to generate a database of information, ideas and suggestions from a diverse cross-section of stakeholders,” he said, “however, common things continued to surface.”
According to the December 2006 issue of ARBO’s newsletter, the Green Sheet, the continued competence work group concluded, “Assessment should follow a standardized CE format and requirements … and include a demonstration of clinical ability.”
The COPE discussion group recommended the full integration of OE Tracker and COPE. The group also suggested that COPE “continue to review and evaluate the standards set by Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), PhRMA [Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America] and AdvaMed and incorporate those that are appropriate to the practice of optometry,” according to the Green Sheet.
The postgraduate curriculum group discussed “the merits of implementing a mandatory postgraduate doctor curriculum for continuing education,” the Green Sheet stated.
The industry support group recommended “the development of a standard disclosure slide for lecturers,” according to the Green Sheet. The group recommended that COPE adopt the ACCME standards for commercial support as appropriate for optometry.
“The next step is to bridge this report with the American Optometric Association Summit findings,” Dr. Richt said at the press conference. “ARBO has developed a task force for development and implementation of the recommendations.
“Anything we can do to assure continued competence will increase licensure mobility,” he added.
CELMO to facilitate license mobility
|
|
ARBO director Steven H. Eyler, OD, reported at the press conference on the activities of the Council on Endorsed Licensure Mobility for Optometrists (CELMO). “Everybody wants licensure by endorsement,” he said. “The AOA wants it. ARBO wants it. AFOS [Armed Forces Optometric Society] wants it. Ninety percent of the profession wants it in some manner.
“The AOA has put a lot of energy into this for more than 12 years,” Dr. Eyler continued. “ARBO has tried to act as a bridge for what the AOA has done and what the state boards may be uncomfortable with.”
The CELMO certificate was developed as a significant credential towards licensure by endorsement. “Two years ago ARBO made this program active; last year at SECO we issued our first CELMO certificates,” Dr. Eyler said. “We have 11 states; it’s gaining momentum.
“ARBO looks forward to a future where license mobility is a reality,” Dr. Eyler concluded.
OE Tracker expands
ARBO director Robert L. Sorrell, OD, provided an update on the OE Tracker system. “All state boards except one will accept OE Tracker certificates,” he said. “We are now issuing OE Tracker numbers to all students. When they register to take the national board, they are given an OE Tracker number.”
The OE Tracker system mechanically captures attendee data at CE meetings, with the ultimate goal of eliminating the need for paper-based certification. Through this system, optometrists’ CE activity is stored in a database on the ARBO Web site (www.arbo.org), and the optometrist or state board can use the site to verify attendance and CE credits required for license renewal.