COPE committee discusses accreditation changes

The Council on Optometric Practitioner Education Advisory Committee shared ideas for improving the accreditation process during its first meeting in September, according to the Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry, which established the committee.

As detailed in the release from ARBO, the following members participated in the meeting: Jenny Coyle, OD, representing the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry; J. Bart Campbell, OD, representing the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education; Sandra Fortenberry, OD, representing the American Optometric Association ; Susy Yu, OD, MBA, representing the Council on Optometric Practitioner Education (COPE); Mark Eger, OD, representing the American Academy of Optometry; as well as James Campbell, OD; Michael Ohlson, OD; Jill Martinson-Redekopp, OD; and Jerry Richt, OD.

The group “discussed proposed changes to the COPE accreditation standards to incorporate educational planning and outcomes measurement and reviewed the framework of a new process for accreditation of continuing education providers,” according to the release.

They also agreed upon the goals of creating equivalence between the COPE accreditation process and other health care professions and participating in interprofessional continuing education.

"This was a great first meeting. I’m confident that each of the organizations will make valuable contributions to improving the COPE accreditation process, particularly in the implementation of the updated standards," Yu said in the release.

According to the release, the group planned another meeting for spring of 2015.