Professional Development
General Information
The maintenance of clinical and operational knowledge and skills is an essential obligation of all professionals.
In order to help members to meet their obligations, the Association has just completed a major review of its system of Mandatory Continuing Professional Development. Some of the final details are yet to be worked out (such as the transitional arrangements between the new and old systems) but the key aspects of the changes are detailed below.
- National Standards
- OAA[NSW] Learning Streams
General Information - National Standards
The maintenance of clinical and operational knowledge and skills is an essential obligation of all professionals.
In order to help members to meet their obligations, the Association has just completed a major review of its system of Mandatory Continuing Professional Development. Some of the final details are yet to be worked out (such as the transitional arrangements between the new and old systems) but the key aspects of the changes are detailed below.
National Standards
From 1 January 2004, members will be required to accrue 40 CPD points per annum, averaged over a 2 year period (i.e. 80 points in 2 years). Points will be allocated according to the 'educational merit' of each course, but generally the points allocation will be:
- 3pts/hour: small group workshops, grand rounds, lectures or seminars which contain an assessment component.
- 2pts/hour: most lectures, seminars and courses related to the clinical practice of optometry.
- 1pt/hour: courses on optometry-related topics such as business management, overseas courses (regardless of the course content - NZAO courses excepted).
- There are some additional items which are being considered for inclusion in this category.
- NB. All courses run by the NZAO are part of the OAA[NSW] scheme and as such are eligible for full points accreditation.
- All points accrued by members will be recorded and administered by the OAA's National Office.
General Information - OAA[NSW] Learning Streams
The maintenance of clinical and operational knowledge and skills is an essential obligation of all professionals.
In order to help members to meet their obligations, the Association has just completed a major review of its system of Mandatory Continuing Professional Development. Some of the final details are yet to be worked out (such as the transitional arrangements between the new and old systems) but the key aspects of the changes are detailed below.
OAA[NSW] Learning Streams
Effective immediately, most CPD courses offered by the OAA[NSW] will be presented as "learning streams". This means that we will present courses on a theme e.g. macular degeneration, contact lens advances, ocular emergencies etc. These "learning streams" will still offer a variety of speakers and opinions, but they will all be based around the "theme".
The advantage of this to you is that (a) you will get a more structured learning experience and one which is hopefully more directly relevant to your clinical practice, and (b) it will enable the OAA[NSW] to issue you with an "Attendance Certification" for members who complete each stream. These certificates can be displayed in your waiting room to show your patients that you are indeed keeping up with the latest clinical advances.
The Association offers an extensive range of both clinical and management courses on an ongoing basis throughout the year. Special arrangements have also been made to assist members in geographically remote areas or those with limitations on their mobility to obtain their required points.
For more information on the current courses available to members, please email or call the Association on (02) 9713 2038.
