Students and pre-reg optometrists in lockdown: OT  coronavirus guide

Alastair Shaw, head of assessment at the College of Optometrists: “We have developed revised proposals, in consultation with employers, universities and the GOC, that will enable students to demonstrate the knowledge and skills they will need to pass the Scheme and practise unsupervised. The proposals will need to be approved by the GOC.

“Stage One: With regards to those trainees currently undertaking stage one of the Scheme, we hope to allow some stage one visits to go ahead remotely next month. We’ll let students know as soon as we have more details.

“Stage Two: Stage two and the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) are more challenging because they involve our assessors and examiners checking that you are safe to perform a range of practical examinations in a clinical setting. We are proposing that stage two assessments are carried out at an examination centre, where we can ensure the safety of trainees and patients, and be satisfied that all competences are achieved. This will be supplemented with an online exam to cover the overarching competencies.

“OSCE: The July OSCE has been cancelled and students have been informed. We are working on how we can deliver a September OSCE in a socially distanced way, but can’t set out the specifics until we have further guidance from the government on what will or won’t be possible. We are currently looking at emerging guidance from a range of experts on some solutions to running OSCE examinations in a COVID-19 compliant way.”

Alastair Shaw, head of assessment at the College of Optometrists: “We are developing a process for approving extensions to allotted time on the Scheme for trainees whose placements and progress are affected by COVID-19. This will aim to avoid individual trainees needing to apply separately for extensions (as is the case under standard Scheme regulations). Our plans have now been approved by the GOC.

“We are looking carefully at when trainees enrolled on the Scheme. This will help us to fairly extend time on the Scheme for everyone affected by COVID-19, and will include taking account of the cancelled July OSCE for trainees near to the end of their time on the Scheme.”

Alastair Shaw, head of assessment at the College of Optometrists: “The July OSCE has been cancelled and the trainees previously enrolled for that already know this. We are working on how we can deliver a September OSCE in a socially distanced way, but can’t set out the specifics until we have further guidance from the government on what will or won’t be possible in terms of social distancing. We are currently looking at emerging guidance from a range of experts on some solutions to running OSCE examinations in a COVID-19 compliant way.”

Victoria Taylor, Specsavers head of graduate recruitment and retention UK & ROI: “Around 90% of our pre-registration optometrists were furloughed. Whilst open for emergency and essential care only, the majority of our stores have been attended and operated by the store directors with a small number of team members to deliver the required customer care.

“How long a team member remains on furlough will be different for each store and is likely to depend, in the short-term, on how many team members are able to be in store given the social distancing guidelines. In the meantime, we will continue to share optional learning material with them to ensure that they are able to continue with their development.”

Victoria Taylor, Specsavers head of graduate recruitment and retention UK & ROI: “We have been working with the College since the start of the pandemic and continue to do so. Our next step is contributing to a working party to support the design of the new Scheme that navigates the practical challenges of delivering a rigorous pre-registration period which gives the pre-registration optometrist the best experience.

“We have also reached out to every Specsavers store with an incoming pre-registration optometrist to discuss any challenges or concerns they might have. Finally, we are also reviewing our internal programme materials to ensure that they are fit for purpose in a post-COVID-19 world.”

David Jameson, optometrist, Boots Opticians, learning & development specialist - pre-reg optometrists: “We continue to work closely with the College of Optometrists on the most practical ways to assess outstanding elements of competence for current pre-reg optometrists, and for our new cohort. We have started to adapt our programme to be more digital and to avoid the need for face-to-face training days. We have also introduced dedicated learning & development specialists, who will be assigned to every pre-reg optometrist and will support them with any changes in the Scheme for Registration.”

Victoria Taylor, Specsavers head of graduate recruitment and retention UK & ROI: “We have support teams across Specsavers answering all clinical queries regarding pre-registration optometrists and we are sharing the College communications, including OSCE dates.

“Pre-registration optometrists returning to store from furlough will be given exactly the same training and re-introduction to working in their store as their qualified practitioner colleagues.”

Alastair Shaw, head of assessment at the College of Optometrists: “We know that this is a really anxious and uncertain time for trainees and students, and that it’s frustrating that it is taking time to firmly agree details of the changes to the Scheme. We are working closely with employers and universities and have made submissions to the GOC, with some more detailed proposals to follow.

“The Scheme was originally designed to be a face-to-face assessment programme. The COVID-19 pandemic means that social distancing will remain necessary for some time, which will have a significant effect on the way optometry is practised in the near future. It means we need to make fundamental changes to how the Scheme is delivered and assessed to be compliant with government social distancing requirements.

“We are working hard, alongside employers, universities and the GOC, to make this happen, and will make sure that trainees and students are kept updated with all developments, as soon as we are able. We need to be certain that the changes we make will continue to uphold professional standards and guarantee patient safety in optometry practice. For these reasons, confirming the exact changes to the Scheme will take time.”

AOP clinical director and optometrist, Dr Peter Hampson: “The difficulty for pre-registration optometrists is they will be emerging into a job market that is currently very uncertain. We don’t know what volume of sight tests will be needed, or possible, in the short term and that may affect employability. Hopefully this will be relatively short lived and things will begin to return to normal.

“If pre-registration optometrists were considering further study, now might be a good time to do so as, while the job market is uncertain, gaining extra qualifications for when the market picks up will place them in a stronger position to help with the backlog of hospital appointments that have built up during lockdown. This might help them develop a more clinical career.”

Paul Morris, Specsavers director of professional advancement: “As we regain a ‘new normal,’ our approach to reinvigorating our pre-registration programme will be the same as we’ve adopted throughout this crisis – to keep colleagues and customers safe, to keep in regular contact, to be honest and open, and to share new information as we know it.

“Just as we have a duty of care to our customers, we feel a huge sense of responsibility to our incoming and existing pre-registration optometrists and will provide greater clarity and reassurance as soon as we know what is planned for this year’s Scheme for Registration.”

Dr Peter Hampson, AOP clinical director and optometrist: “Pre-registration optometrists normally spend extended periods with patients during the early part of the scheme. Clearly this looks unlikely due to COVID-19 and the risks it poses. It is very likely that the pre-registration period this year, and potentially for all future years, will look quite different and may include shorter interactions with a focus at least in part on providing remote care.”

William Holmes, senior lecturer at The University of Manchester, AOP councillor and chair of the Optometry Schools Council: “In terms of adapting to how students are going to be practising as optometrists, I think the challenges are going to be similar to those of a qualified optometrist. Clearly there is going to be a whole new world of ways of doing things.

“What I would imagine will happen is that on the starting of their placements, students will be supported to engage in that new way of working. Over the coming months, practices are going to be beginning to learn how to practise in this new environment as routine sight testing hopefully begins again. Things will be done in a different way. And there will be a sense in which we will all have to learn together as well. I don't think anyone is going to have the answers.”

Victoria Taylor, Specsavers head of graduate recruitment and retention UK & ROI: “First and foremost, we understand how worrying this period is for everyone – and we are here to support students. We have a dedicated pre-registration support team fielding calls and queries from students and stores every day, sharing information as it becomes available to us, and providing online learning materials for student and pre-reg optometrists at every level.

“In recent weeks, the primary focus for all of our stores and our partners has, understandably, been prioritising our customers whilst we have been open for essential and emergency care only. However, our commitment to providing the highest number of pre-registration placements in the industry is unwavering. We talk to the College on a weekly basis and we share the same goal of wanting to ensure that, despite current challenges, we can offer as many placements as possible.

“Ultimately, we do need to wait for the College to release the confirmed details of the new Scheme before we can move forwards. For those still looking for a placement, we will be updating our list of live vacancies shortly and sending those out.

“For final year students, my message is to say thank you for your patience – we are working with the College to ensure that there is a safe welcome to stores for all of our new pre-registration optometrists and that the requirements of the Scheme are adequately met.”

Alastair Shaw, head of assessment at the College of Optometrists: “For both current and prospective trainees, please be assured that we will share new information with you as soon as we are satisfied that it is finalised. As the provider of the Scheme for Registration, we will let you know when we can confirm the details of how and when you can continue to make progress.

“During this time, it might be helpful to access some of the College’s resources that can help support your studies and skills, we have a range of online learning activities that pre-reg trainees can access on our website as part of their membership.”

Luke McRoy-Jones, third-year optometry student and AOP councillor: “My advice right now would be to concentrate on any outstanding assessments and submissions at undergraduate level. Completing your degree should be your primary concern at the moment, even though I understand that you will understandably be anxious and feel uncertain about what lies ahead. Once you have completed your degree, it would be a good idea to contact your pre-registration practice to discuss what the plan will be for enrolment.

“Be assured that the professional bodies and employers are working hard in the background to make appropriate changes, but as mentioned previously, these changes may not be available immediately. To keep informed on these changes, please monitor the College of Optometrists’ website and the Optometry Today website.

“Overall, though, I think you should be proud for finishing your studies in a way that is totally unique for an optometry degree, where there is a reliance on clinical experience and assessment. This situation is unique to our lifetimes and in the past three months, you’ve been able to adapt and complete your studies.

“Don’t forget that if you need any personal support, your individual universities will have support systems in place and the AOP is also open for all employment queries. If you would like support anonymously, from a trained volunteer, then our Peer Support Line answers calls 24/7.”

Alastair Shaw, head of assessment at the College of Optometrists: “We anticipate there will be a delay in some employers taking on a pre-registration trainee for the 2020–21 Scheme year. We are looking at developing resources for this summer’s university graduates to help with their preparation for practice life and fill any potential gaps between graduation and enrolment on the Scheme. We will keep trainees updated on progress.”

William Holmes, senior lecturer at The University of Manchester, AOP councillor and chair of the Optometry Schools Council: “The time that the lockdown occurred was very much towards the end of clinical teaching time for final year students. That was certainly the case for Manchester and my understanding is that it is pretty much the case across the piece. What that means, thankfully, is that there isn’t a big gap in terms of what students would normally receive versus what they received this year.

“I think, from a preparedness perspective, while it is not ideal that we’ve had to move various assessments online, and I very much appreciate the difficult time this has been for students, they are going into the pre-registration year fairly well prepared. The impact would have been greater if the COVID-19 emergency had been earlier in the year.

“The OSC and College put out a joint statement in March on how students will transition. The commitment there was for the College and the OSC to put forward further detail on how that was going to happen. That work is ongoing and requires GOC-approval, but I anticipate that in the not too distant future we will have some clarity on what those arrangements are going to look like.”

David Jameson, optometrist, Boots Opticians, learning & development specialist - pre-reg optometrists: “We are actively reviewing all of our learning programmes, including pre-reg, to understand how we can safely and effectively support learning and personal and professional development. It is important that our future programme supports our pre-reg optometrists to fulfil their potential, and supports Boots Opticians in meeting our patients’ needs.”

“We continue to work closely with the College of Optometrists on the most practical ways to assess outstanding elements of competence for current pre-reg optometrists, and for our new cohort starting this year. We have started to adapt our programme to be more digital and to avoid the need for face-to-face training days. We have also introduced dedicated learning & development specialists, who will be assigned to every pre-reg optometrist and will support them with any changes in the Scheme for Registration.”

Alastair Shaw, head of assessment at the College of Optometrists: “We are working closely with employers and universities on the changes that be will required to the Scheme for 2020/21 and have set up a working group with representatives from across the sector to progress these. The changes will need to reflect the changing nature of practice which will need to adhere to social distancing and where face-to-face time with patients will be reduced.”

Alastair Shaw, head of assessment at the College of Optometrists: “We have developed revised proposals, in consultation with employers, universities and the GOC, that will enable students to demonstrate the knowledge and skills they will need to pass the Scheme and practise unsupervised. The proposals will need to be approved by the GOC.

“With regards to those trainees currently undertaking stage one of the Scheme, we hope to allow some stage one visits to go ahead remotely next month. We’ll let students know as soon as we have more details.”

For more information on the College’s proposals for Scheme assessments going forwards, see What changes is the College considering in assessing pre-registration students who should be graduating, as a result of the situation? Who is involved in making this decision? in the Pre-registration Optometrists section of this article.

Alastair Shaw, head of assessment at the College of Optometrists: “It is too early to say at this stage, but we are working hard to ensure that we have the flexibility to run OSCEs at different times of the year and ensure that they are more evenly spaced across the year to ensure they can be taken at regular intervals.”

Alastair Shaw, head of assessment at the College of Optometrists: “We are working closely with employers to understand exactly what those restrictions will be to ensure that the Scheme requirements can be met by trainees. When requirements are set by the GOC, we will be working with them to ensure that trainees can gain the knowledge, skills and experience they need in a way that reflects the way practices will operate under the current restrictions.”

Victoria Taylor, Specsavers head of graduate recruitment and retention UK & ROI: “We need to wait for the College to announce the details of the new Scheme, including supervision and competency requirements, before we are able to progress. The College has already informed the current final year students that a delay to the start to the Scheme will be inevitable.

“For each individual, the start dates will vary depending on the store circumstances; some stores have indicated that they would like their pre-reg optometrist in practice as soon as possible, whereas others face bigger challenges accommodating team members in a socially distanced way and they may require a joiner later.

“For our internal programme, we have already switched all of our courses online, and we will be running multiple inductions in this way.”

Victoria Taylor, Specsavers head of graduate recruitment and retention UK & ROI: “Any changes to contracts will be done on a store-by-store basis with the individual and only where strictly necessary.”

Victoria Taylor, Specsavers head of graduate recruitment and retention UK & ROI: “Once we have understood the College’s final position on the Scheme for Registration we will know more, but early indications are that the majority of stores are keen to continue with their offer of a placement. There will be a small number of stores who, due to the new social distancing rules, are simply unable to accommodate a pre-registration optometrist. In those cases, the pre-registration support team will work with the individual to find them another location.”

Dr Peter Hampson, AOP clinical director and optometrist: “Most universities are going to need to deliver content on a remote basis that will change interactions, but as we have already seen, that can work surprisingly well. I’m expecting to see some great innovation from universities from shared video consultations and patient episodes, smaller study groups and a greater emphasis on collaborative and interactive learning tools.”

William Holmes, senior lecturer at The University of Manchester, AOP councillor and chair of the Optometry Schools Council: “The biggest change will be the way students get clinical experience, as dictated by the rules the government is going to have on social distancing. I think that's going to be one of the key differences. My suspicion is that this situation could accelerate some of the technology that we might have seen coming slightly later.

“I don't think this is something that is going to be reversible. I think there are going to be ways of working developed in this period in practice, that are probably going to continue after this is over. In that context, I strongly suspect that the way we give clinical provision will also have to be different. Because if optometrists aren't giving a sight test from start to finish, one on one, close to a patient, then it is not appropriate for us to train undergraduates to do that.

“The other change is already upon us in terms of not being able to have closed-book exams and so on. It's hard to imagine, given the current situation and measures, that we are not going to be required to have open book exams and so on, for a long period of time.”

William Holmes, senior lecturer at The University of Manchester, AOP councillor and chair of the Optometry Schools Council: “In terms of how courses will be taught in the next semester for example, certainly at Manchester and I’m sure at other universities, we are looking to make sure that online provision is there and try to redesign courses in such a way that they are robust so if a shutdown does occur, we can cope with that.

“The way clinical teaching is done is going to have to change. If you went into one of our first or second year clinical teaching spaces last semester, social distancing is not something you could see in any way, shape or form. It would be very busy and there would be multiple people within cubicles learning and that obviously wouldn't be possible. So spreading out and trying to use the facilities we’ve got and augment those with other ways of learning is going to most likely be the order of the day I think.”

Alastair Shaw, head of assessment at the College of Optometrists: “The Scheme has always been, and will remain, flexible. Pre-registration trainees can enrol on Scheme at any point in the year. We recognise that this flexibility is more important than ever in the current context, both for prospective trainees and employers.”

Alastair Shaw, head of assessment at the College of Optometrists: “We don’t know yet; we will need to see the full extent of what happens to the current cohort and those due to enrol this summer. However, we are working closely with the Optometry Schools Council which represents the Higher Education Institutions that provide optometry courses across the UK.

“In terms of their final year, second year students should talk to their universities for details about changes to their courses.”

Victoria Taylor, Specsavers head of graduate recruitment and retention UK & ROI: “The great news is that any student who had a summer placement offer from us will have already attended a selection day and been allocated to a store. For any summer placement not already working in that store, we are looking at the best way to provide some time in practice before the end of the year, as a pre-cursor to their pre-registration placement. We are also launching a virtual pre-registration placement to ensure that the students have access to great materials to prepare them for their final year and pre-registration period.”

Victoria Taylor, Specsavers head of graduate recruitment and retention UK & ROI: “I would leave any approach to a store until the autumn, until stores have adjusted to their new ways of working. After that, it will depend on an individual store’s capacity to offer a placement. All of our vacancies will continue to be advertised on our website join.specsavers.com/uk as well.

“In the meantime, all students – wherever they work – can access our Optometry Essentials study guide at specsavers-spectrum.com, which will soon include a new set of accompanying multiple choice quizzes to test their knowledge.”

William Holmes, senior lecturer at The University of Manchester, AOP councillor and chair of the Optometry Schools Council: “All universities will have procedures in place to deal with students in ordinary times who become ill or have circumstances which mean they can't complete their course. So universities will use their usual mechanisms to enable those circumstances to be taken into account. It's disappointing for those students who have been affected and who might have to take advantage of some of those mechanisms, but those mechanisms are there.”

William Holmes, senior lecturer at The University of Manchester, AOP councillor and chair of the Optometry Schools Council: “This forms part of the joint-proposal by the College and the OSC. The statement outlines this idea that students can carry competencies and clinical experience into the final year. So part of the extra 'flesh on the bones' that the GOC will have to approve will include provision for that particular piece of clinical experience. There's a whole range of clinical experience undergraduate students have to get. All of that as a complete package is on this journey hopefully to being approved by the GOC.”

Dr Peter Hampson, AOP clinical director and optometrist: “It’s going to be very different, but hopefully it will be highly innovative. The way we all have to interact with patients is undergoing a digital revolution and students are more capable than most of adapting to these changes and being better prepared for the new way of working.”

Victoria Taylor, Specsavers head of graduate recruitment and retention UK & ROI: “Keep on learning, if you can. We have released a series of optional distance-learning materials for our furloughed students to access at their leisure to encourage their personal development whilst on furlough leave. We have also shared video messages and podcasts from our director of professional advancement, Paul Morris, as well as links to well-being materials.

“Once we are back serving the public with a wider range of services, and teams return from furlough, things will begin to seem a little more "normal" again. We are ensuring that any team member returning from furlough is fully trained on PPE use and our new customer journey, and there is a lot of support available.

“The other important thing is to stay in touch – with the latest guidelines from the professional bodies, with your future employer, and with your peers. At Specsavers, for example, we have an online network for optometrists, including pre-registration students, where practitioners have been posing clinical questions and sharing experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Alastair Shaw, head of assessment at the College of Optometrists: “For final year university students, right now it’s important to focus on the rest of your exams.

“During this time, it might be helpful to access some of the College’s resources that can help support your studies and skills, we have a range of online learning activities that pre-reg trainees can access on our website as part of their membership.”

William Holmes, senior lecturer at The University of Manchester, AOP councillor and chair of the Optometry Schools Council: “The first thing I would say is that it is normal to be worried. I think everybody in the country is worried at the moment. In many ways there probably aren't simple answers that are going to allay your worries.

“There are some big-picture things that are probably important to think about. First of all, people are always going to have eyes and those eyes are going to need to be taken care of. So, whilst there is a period of disruption at the moment, it seems to me there will be a need for optometrists. That should be somewhat comforting to people in the profession.

“The other thing I would point out is that there will be silver linings to this pandemic. It may well be that, although we're going to go through a period of disruption that this could change us as a profession - possibly for the better. So in some ways it is an exciting time to be part of a profession that is having to rethink how it does things.”

Luke McRoy-Jones, third-year optometry student and AOP councillor: “Individual universities will have support services in place for their students, ranging from mental health services to personal support on academic issues. Therefore, students may wish to utilise these resources.

“For training and development resources, students and pre-registration optometrists can use OT's education hub to access hundreds of articles with clinical content and also skills guides, to keep on top of their skills and knowledge.

“As members of the AOP, students also have access to our teams for support. Your university’s AOP Student Representative can advise on this. While you do not have to be an AOP member, the Peer Support Line takes calls 24/7 and trained volunteers can provide anonymous support and guidance, for a range of personal and professional issues.”