GOC approves patient encounter requirements change for qualified DOs and CLOs

The General Optical Council (GOC) has approved modified patient encounter requirements for registered dispensing opticians (DOs) and contact lens opticians (CLOs) who are currently trainees on the Scheme for Registration to qualify as optometrists.

The modified requirements apply immediately and are relevant to all DO and CLO trainees who are completing the new logbook of 520 patient encounters.

Confirming the GOC’s approval, the College of Optometrists explained that the modifications mean that, instead of the 520 patient encounters usually required, qualified DOs on the Scheme must complete a logbook of 460 patient encounters, while qualified CLOs will require 380.

Qualified DOs are exempt from completing the minimum number of required dispensing encounters in their logbook, but will not be able to use more than 40 dispensing encounters towards the total of 460 patient encounters.

The College confirmed that qualified DOs will still be assessed on all competencies related to dispensing, and will be required to complete the compulsory patient episodes relevant to these.

Meanwhile, qualified CLOs are exempt from completing both the minimum number of required dispensing and contact lens encounters in their logbook, the College shared.

However, qualified CLOs will not be able to use more than 40 dispensing encounters and 60 contact lens encounters towards the total of 380 patient encounters.

They will also still be assessed on all competencies relating to dispensing and contact lenses, the College confirmed, and will be required to complete the compulsory patient episodes linked to these.