About this course
This course is relevant to the whole optical team.
CPD Time: 45 minutes (0.75 CE Credit)
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 objective:
• 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:
The learner will:
• describe the GOC CPD requirements and why continuous learning matters.
• identify personal learning needs and create a balanced CPD plan with recorded reflections.
• apply a reflective cycle to clinical cases and document learning in the CPD log.
• integrate current guidelines and research into day-to-day clinical decisions.
• adopt new technology safely by seeking accredited training, supervision and clear patient explanations.
GOC Development Outcomes:
Standard 5
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? |