I was talking recently to a room full of FQE students the week before they sat their final examinations, about professionalism and how part of being a professional is a commitment to lifelong learning.
One student asked me what other subjects they should expect to have to study in the future. He seemed already prepared to start reading up.
I tried to remember all the new things I have had to absorb since qualifying. This was a time before CPD or CET and there was no compulsion to do any further studying or revision. I decided to reengage to do my contact lens course, whilst starting to teach parttime at Bradford College. I did a teaching course, the contact lens course and applied to become a practical examiner – all at the same time. And I have been studying ever since.
Being part of ABDO’s National Clinical Committee exposed me to many people with great ideas on how to develop study material for our members. It struck me that some of the things I have learned about, studied and understood were a long way from my final examination syllabus or course. Most of them have become projects in their own right. I will never know everything about most of them, but what an interesting job to have where it is useful to develop new skills, methods and practices – and be supported in doing so.
On qualifying, I never imagined I would talk to my patients about dietary supplements, hydration, falls risk, safeguarding, myopia management, minor eye conditions, and so the list goes on. Only last week, I read about a link between poor sleep patterns and glaucoma risk – suggesting that glaucoma sufferers should have a health intervention to investigate the quality of their sleep. Yet another new area to read about, to ensure my conversations with patients are well informed.
The number of interests and areas to research is ever-growing, ever-more interesting and ever-more stimulating. What a great time to be a dispensing optician.