The World Council of Optometry (WCO) has published its first ever curriculum support document which is now available on the WCO website.
“Curricular support elements for an optometry programme”, has been produced by the WCO education committee in order to help schools, colleges and universities intending to start or upgrade an optometry programme and can be used as a basis for designing their curriculum.
Fifteen elements of practice are covered in the guide including: the patient examination, patient management, general health assessment, specialised care, and professional responsibilities. Essentially, the document covers all the competencies an optometrist needs to qualify at the highest level of international standards.
WCO Education Committee Chair Gerald Lowther said “This exciting initiative was started a few years ago by former education committee chair Maurice Yap with the help Hong Kong Polytechnic University staff. It is now available for the profession to use.
It is a detailed outline of topics for the highest level of optometry education which can be utilized by institutions that are developing or upgrading optometric programs as well as a guide for individual faculty members developing courses. It is readily available for members and non-members to use and will be helpful in the continued development of optometry programs worldwide.”
The promotion of high standards of education and practice by optometrists is one of the WCO’s objectives. The curriculum document is an example of how the WCO acts as a unifying voice for the profession, encouraging the launch of international projects and services that meet the needs of patients, optometrists and the ophthalmic industry.
