Pre-reg focus

“Each patient encounter is a learning opportunity”

Hannah Silcock, pre-registration optometrist at Specsavers Stirling, tells OT how she’s preparing in the weeks leading up to her OSCEs

2 min read

Hannah is smiling whilst sitting at a table next to a green wall in a Specsavers testing room. A large piece of optical equipment is on the table in front of her

Hannah Silcock

02 July 2025

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I now have my date for the objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), and I am preparing by recapping the Stage 1 competencies and looking for gaps in my knowledge.

I have attended the Specsavers mock OSCE course, which was very useful to get a good feel for what the OSCEs might be like. I am also lucky that my supervisor is going to prepare and run mock OSCEs for me with my colleagues acting as the patients, which will be another opportunity to test my knowledge.

Looking ahead to IP

After qualification, I am looking forward to a break from studying after a long and intense pre-reg period. Whilst I am still used to studying alongside working, I plan to start the independent prescribing course quite soon after finishing pre-reg to allow me to broaden my knowledge of conditions and treat them in the community.

I plan to start the independent prescribing course quite soon after finishing pre-reg

My advice to those about to start their pre-reg placement is to stay organised in terms of completing the logbook during Stages 1 and 2. Also, make sure you’re aware of all of the competencies so you can start gathering them as soon as possible, particularly the less common ones such as patients with a colour vision defect or with an incomitant deviation, as you never know when you might see them again.