Prioritising professional development as a locum

Three months into the year, how well are those resolutions for 2022 progressing?

Keeping on top of long-term goals can be challenging amidst day-to-day work and can slip down the list of priorities.

With the new CPD scheme in full swing, and 100% Optical approaching at full speed – providing an opportunity to engage in CPD and network with suppliers and peers – this could be a good time to revisit professional goals, or lay out a plan for the months ahead.

Following the Locum life: advice to my younger self article last month, OT spoke to Johnson & Johnson Vision’s Sheetal Patel for tips around keeping on top of professional development, helpful resources, and advice for some of the challenges locums face.

What advice do you have for keeping on top of your development as a locum? How can locums ensure they make the time for this in their schedules?

Locums’ professional development is self-directed and not provided for, as might be the case in an employed role, so it becomes more important to make this a priority and carve out dedicated time to ensure that they continue to deliver the highest possible care to their patients. This time can be bitesize and work around daily, weekly or monthly commitments so that it does not seem like a huge undertaking.

Reflecting on your clinical decisions and practice is a great way to start learning about the clinical judgements that locums make. If there is an opportunity to follow up with a patient or on a referral this would be a great way to understand outcomes and support better ongoing patient care.

Taking the time to create a professional development plan is a great way to evaluate areas of clinical advancement, highlight areas of interest, and help to map what steps can be taken to support growth as well as venture into new areas of clinical practice.

Reflecting on your clinical decisions and practice is a great way to start learning about the clinical judgements that locums make

What resources does Johnson & Johnson Vision have to help locums keep on top of developments?

The Johnson & Johnson Vision website has a significant amount of information to support contact lens knowledge and practice. As well as online CPD being made available on the website, information about all the ACUVUE® products as well as access to fitting calculators for the multifocal and toric contact lens products, is available. Locums can access general events held by Johnson and Johnson Vision as well.
 
ACUVUE® product information can also be found on the locum section of the AOP website. The online AOP locum logbook supported by Johnson & Johnson Vision is a great place to document any particular clinical patient interactions to allow for follow up and reflective practice.

In 2022, we will continue to deliver a number of educational events tailored for locums in partnership with the AOP, as well as deliver a targeted communication plan with locums, and providing a printed locum supplement halfway through the year with useful information, to allow them to stay up to date with the latest contact lens information and education.

In partnership with the AOP, our annual tailored educational programme exclusively for locums will offer some exciting new content for the first year of CPD to encourage and support locum engagement as well as peer-to-peer learning.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your peers if you need it – chances are there is somebody who can help

What are some of the challenges for locum practitioners when fitting contact lenses – particularly for more complex patients?

Ongoing, consistent patient care is likely to be the most significant challenge. Not being in the same practice or environment means that locums can’t follow up with patients who are fitted, and so it would be a struggle for many locums to build their ongoing confidence, as they are unable to have this continuous learning experience. Locums might consider how they work with the practice to follow-up on these patients either directly or by speaking to a fellow clinician to understand the outcomes for patients.

Access to educational and clinical support, or support through peers, may also be a challenge and hinder proactiveness to undertake the fitting of more complex patients.

Can you share three tips for challenging contact lens fits as a locum?

1. Speak to the manufacturers – they usually have a support line – and see what support is available to help you undertake more challenging contact lens fittings. Some may be happy to discuss potential options for a patient with you, others will direct you to their website for more help with the fitting process, or even to calculators that can help
2. Create a peer network group that you can lean on as you are learning, or join an existing one. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your peers if you need it – chances are there is somebody who can help and it’s great to feel supported by a likeminded community
3. Consider if there are any training or educational sessions that can support you and sign up for them whether online, in person, or both.