About this course
Ongoing learning means safer care, professional growth, and better patient outcomes.
[podcast mini /media/goc-standard-5-intro.mp3]
Have you ever paused during a busy clinic and thought—am I truly up to date with the latest guidance, or am I relying on what I’ve always done? In healthcare, standing still is never really an option. Patients place their trust in us because they believe we’re practising safely, using the best evidence, and applying the right skills at the right time. That responsibility is both a privilege and a challenge.
This course on GOC Standard 5 isn’t about ticking boxes or collecting certificates—it’s about strengthening your confidence, protecting your patients, and demonstrating your professionalism through meaningful continuing development. You’ll discover practical ways to identify your learning needs, evaluate new evidence, and integrate reflection and peer discussion into everyday practice.
Think of it as building a living record of growth—a record that doesn’t just satisfy the regulator but also showcases the depth of your care and commitment. By embracing this journey, you’re not just meeting a standard—you’re actively shaping safer, more responsive optical practice for every patient you see.
Optical practice never stands still - and neither should we. This course helps you identify learning needs, stay current with clinical guidance, and reflect meaningfully on your practice. With practical approaches to CPD and professional development, you will be equipped to meet GOC Standard 5 with confidence.
This course is relevant to the whole optical team, including
- Registered optical professionals wanting reliable CPD mapped to GOC Standards
- Locums, jobseekers, and overseas practitioners needing to demonstrate current knowledge
- Colleagues addressing professional challenges who require structured CPD for reflection and remediation
- Managers and teams who want consistent, defensible training
CPD Time: 60 minutes (1 CE Credit / 1 Non-interactive CPD Point)
Assessment: 10 MCQs. Pass mark 80%. more…
On passing the assessment you will immediately receive a CPD Certificate.
Customer feedback on this course
- Concise, practical and directly applicable to daily practice.
- Clear steps to turn reflections into meaningful CPD evidence.
- Useful guidance on adopting new technology safely with examples.
- Helped our team set a realistic, sustainable CPD schedule.
- Excellent checklist for preparing records for inspections and audits.
Aim:
The aim of this course is to support optical professionals to meet GOC Standard 5 by maintaining and updating knowledge, skills, and competence through structured CPD, reflection, and peer discussion.
Course objectives:
- Clarify the registrant’s professional duty and GOC CPD requirements, and provide practical approaches to identify learning needs and record reflective practice.
- Equip practitioners to evaluate evidence, adopt new technology safely, and use feedback and peer support to improve patient care and professional credibility.
Anticipated learning outcomes:
On course completion you will be able to:
- Describe the GOC CPD requirements and apply structured reflection (Standard 5) to demonstrate ongoing professional development.
- Identify personal learning needs and integrate current guidelines and research (Standard 5) into everyday clinical decision-making.
- Adopt new technology safely and effectively (Standard 5) by seeking accredited training, supervision, and providing clear patient explanations.
GOC Framework Mapping:
Standard 5: Keeping Knowledge and Skills Up to Date
Domain: Clinical Practice
Learning content:
Introduction: Why Continuous Learning Matters | Regulatory Framework and CPD Requirements | Identifying Learning Needs | Scenario: Recognising Learning Gaps | Keeping Up with Evidence and Technology | Scenario: Adapting to Change | Reflection and Self-Improvement | Feedback, Supervision and Peer Support | Embedding Lifelong Learning in Everyday Practice | MCQ | Reading List
View full course description
GOC Standard 5: Keeping Knowledge and Skills Up to Date in Optical Practice
Course Description
GOC Standard 5: Keeping Knowledge and Skills Up to Date in Optical Practice
This practical course helps optical professionals embed effective, evidence-based CPD into everyday practice. It explains how to identify learning needs, adopt guidance and technology safely, record meaningful reflection, and demonstrate applied learning through peer discussion and supervision.
Introduction: Why Continuous Learning Matters
Explains why maintaining knowledge and skills is essential for patient safety, public trust and professional duty. Includes practical behaviours to support ongoing development and examples of risks from outdated practice.
Regulatory Framework and CPD Requirements
Summarises the GOC CPD scheme, domains, mandatory reflection and peer discussion, recording requirements and the consequences of non‑compliance.
Identifying Learning Needs
Presents methods to recognise and prioritise personal learning needs: self-audit, patient feedback, peer discussion and appraisal. Shows how to turn clinical experience into planned CPD and recorded reflections.
Scenario: Recognising Learning Gaps
Two scenarios illustrate risks from outdated protocols and missed CPD. Each includes stepwise remediation: acknowledge gaps, review guidance, obtain training and record reflection.
Keeping Up with Evidence and Technology
Guidance on evaluating research and guidelines, applying evidence-based practice and shared decision-making, and adopting new technology (for example OCT, AI) with accredited training and supervision.
Scenario: Adapting to Change
Scenarios on introducing new equipment and updated referral criteria. Actions include seeking training, supervised practice, updating protocols and informing colleagues.
Reflection and Self-Improvement
Explains structured reflective models (Gibbs, Kolb) and shows how to convert consultations into learning opportunities that produce documented CPD outcomes.
Feedback, Supervision and Peer Support
Covers sources of constructive feedback, the role of supervision and mentoring, and organising peer discussion for shared learning and accountability.
Embedding Lifelong Learning in Everyday Practice
Practical strategies to make CPD routine: short reading, case-triggered learning, scheduled peer discussions and sustaining engagement through networks and events.
Reading List
Curated UK resources: GOC standards and CPD guidance, reflective practice and peer review materials, NICE guidance, technology guidance (AI, OCT) and patient information sources.
Course Completion
Complete the feedback survey and MCQ to receive a CPD certificate. Record reflections and any peer discussions in your CPD log to demonstrate applied learning.
You can copy and adapt this example PDP entry for your own needs and circumstances.
| PDP Learning or Maintenance need |
| Maintain and update clinical knowledge and skills in line with GOC Standard 5. |
| How does this relate to my field of practice? |
| Ensures practice remains evidence based, safe, and compliant with regulatory CPD requirements. |
| Which development outcome(s) does it link to? |
| GOC Standard 5 |
| What benefit will this have to my work? |
| Improved patient safety, professional credibility, and preparedness for new guidance and technology. |
| How will I meet this learning or maintenance need? |
| Complete this course, record reflections in CPD log, seek peer discussion and accredited training where needed. |
| When will I complete the activity? |