OT  focuses on…Going virtual

Preparing for tomorrow

Zeiss has produced online training programmes to bring its CET resources to customers. The webinars are available to Zeiss customers and cover topics including UV protection, driving and vision, dispensing, and optical theory and visual conditions.

Lasting one hour, many of the sessions include peer discussion as well as the availability of three CET points.

Slit lamp training

Haag-Streit UK launched a series of free virtual training courses on the Haag-Streit Academy E-learning Portal. The series kicked off with a ‘Slit Lamp E-Learning Course’ split into four topics consisting of interactive modules, user guides and training videos. The course covers ‘Slit Lamp Basic Skills,’ ‘Slit Lamp Imaging,’ a ‘Haag-Streit Diagnostics Video Series’ and ‘EyeSuite User Guides.’

“We are delighted to be offering our valued customers a selection of e-learning courses completely free of charge,” commented HS-UK clinical training manager, Grant Duncan, explaining: “We are pleased to launch this service with the ‘Slit Lamp E-learning course’ and hope that customers find it beneficial.”

Staying connected

Johnson & Johnson Vision has created a series of interactive webinars to help practitioners develop skills while gaining CET points, with live sessions offering insight into key topic areas such as physical and visual comfort.

Director of professional education and development UK, Ireland, Benelux, Nordics and DACH, Kamlesh Chauhan, commented: “We need to come together to support each other and our patients. Now, more than ever, it’s important we stay connected with our professional communities, supporting each other to be the best that we can be for our colleagues and patients.”

J&J Vision have also launched an eight-part live educational web series to explore the progress of efforts to create a potential vaccine and treatments for COVID-19, which it hopes will be of interest to all health care professionals.

Marketing skills

Essilor has launched a webinar training programme to provide product training and digital marketing upskilling. Skills covered through the sessions include how to use pay per click, social advertising and search engine optimisation when communicating with patients – even when not in physical contact. The webinars are running as part of a wider training and support programme featuring additional CET training courses and resources, peer group discussions and website analysis.

Practitioners are encouraged to take part in the product training with monetary credits for their practice on completion of each webinar. Essilor managing director, Tim Precious, said of the scheme, “We’re hoping eye care professionals will feel rewarded for taking part as they get back on their feet.”

AOP webinars and recordings

AOP is running regular webinars to keep members updated on topics relating to COVID-19 and has compiled recordings and slides from these webinars on a dedicated area of the website. Webinar recordings include clinical and professional guidance, locum advice and information on managing mental health.

The webinar programme aims to provide learning opportunities while supporting practitioners through this challenging period, with interactive CET points also available.

AOP head of education, Dr Ian Beasley, said that the programme “aims to help support practitioners – whether it be by building resilience or ensuring they can maintain vital skills for the future.”