News From the Clinical Optometric Methods and Procedures Special Interest Group
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News From the Clinical Optometric Methods and Procedures Special Interest Group
While disappointed to move to a virtual format again this year, the Clinical Optometric Methods and Procedures Special Interest Group (SIG) was able to hold a very productive 2021 meeting with 16 schools and colleges of optometry participating.
High on many programs radars is the upcoming change to the National Board of Examiners in Optometry Part III Clinical Skills Examination to Patient Encounters and Performance Skills (PEPS). We were fortunate to have representatives from NBEO give a presentation and hold a question and answer session. The general blueprint of the new examination is available but the timeline for transition is still undetermined. The implementation of PEPS will not occur mid-Academic year but if a candidate were to fail a late administration of the current Part III and the next administration was in the following Academic year after PEPS had been initiated, they would need to take the new PEPS exam. As much lead time will be given to candidates and schools as possible. (Read more about NBEO here.)
A robust discussion was held regarding advanced clinical skills and technology. The focus of this SIG has quite frequently been the basic/early clinical skills taught in the optometry programs. It was enlightening to hear the variety of offerings in topics such as microsurgical techniques, lasers, and injections. It was felt that a compilation of data from all the schools could be useful. In addition, the use of virtual reality (VR) instruction and other advanced technology was shared. As technology has improved some programs have been “fortunate” to upgrade. With more years of experience, an update on how VR and other technology can be used was very helpful.
Moving forward, this SIG holds regular Zoom calls every other month where a variety of quick topics are discussed. And, we are definitely looking forward to an in-person meeting in 2022!
