OutsideClinic webinars to introduce optometrists to domiciliary

OutsideClinic has launched a free online education series designed for optometrists with an interest in learning more about the domiciliary sector.

The Discover Domiciliary series will comprise four webinars, three of which will be CPD-accredited. Registration has opened for three of the webinars.

The first webinar, ‘Introduction to the exciting world of domiciliary optometry,’ will be broadcast at 7pm on Thursday 3 November.

Accredited for one CPD point, the hour-long session will be presented by OutsideClinic optometrist, Simon Raw and will cover how modern domiciliary optometry is conducted, how home eye tests are done and the mobile equipment and record-keeping systems used, as well as the communication skills required.

A second webinar, to be held on Thursday 17 November at 7pm, will see optometrists from the company discuss ‘High Street vs domiciliary optometry: the key differences.’

The third webinar in the series, ‘OCT - an overview and update’ will take place on 24 November, followed by ‘Dispensing in domiciliary’ on 15 December. Both webinars will take place at 7pm and will have one CPD point available.

The company launched the free series as part of its aims to address what it sees as a “lack of awareness and the widespread misconceptions” around the domiciliary sector.

Nick Wingate, director of professional services at OutsideClinic, suggested that despite the GOC Registrant Survey 2022 indicating high levels of job satisfaction amongst practitioners working in domiciliary, many optometrists aren’t aware of the range of career opportunities available in the sector.

He explained that OutsideClinic is “on a mission to change this” as it seeks to recruit more optometrists in the next 12 months in order to meet growing demand for services.

“Our Discover Domiciliary education series will lift the lid on domiciliary eye care, providing interested optometrists with the perfect opportunity to hear from and speak to practitioners in the sector to learn in a CPD-accredited capacity what it’s really like to work in the fastest growing area of optometry,” Wingate commented.

The company has enacted a number of initiatives to increase awareness of the domiciliary career path, including engaging with universities and optometry students, and the launch of a joint venture partnership model.