1:30min
Following the success of the first Rural Community of Practice and Education (COPE) group, Optometry Australia is convening a second Rural and Outreach COPE Group for optometrists who provide eye health care services to rural and remote communities. COPE groups provide an excellent way to meet your CPD requirements providing (independent) interactive clinical case-based discussions up to eight times a year.
This group will consist of a small number of experienced clinicians already engaging in rural or outreach practice, and clinicians who are either new to this environment or wish to increase their confidence or scope of care. The group will have one-hour virtual meetings approximately once every six weeks, across the course of two years designed to foster support, mentorship, and education in evidence-based practice, via peer-to-peer virtual interactive CPD meetings.
What is a Community of Practice and Education (COPE) Group?
COPE groups provide a unique delivery of CPD, where practitioners with similar interests can discuss cases, challenges and new evidence that is relevant to their area of practice. The groups are designed to foster learning, inter-collegiate connections and facilitate upskilling amongst practitioners. COPE groups typically meet for approximately one hour every 6 weeks, via Zoom. Meetings are designed to be held in the evenings for those living in Eastern states (usually around 7:00 or 7:30pm) and late in the afternoon (at or after 4:30pm) for those in Western Australia.
Who may be keen to participate in such a group?
We are looking to speak with:
- Members of Optometry Australia with a special interest in providing care or outreach services to those living in rural or remote areas.
- Experienced clinicians keen to participate in a group of engaged optometrists passionate about rural or outreach care OR optometrists interested in expanding their health service delivery model who wish to have mentorship and support.
- Clinicians who have the desire and capacity to enact change within their practice.
We especially encourage those practicing in unique situations and early career optometrists to apply.
To express your interest, please email n.anstice@optometry.org.au with the subject line ‘COPE Rural 2 group application’ before 5pm Monday, 27 January 2025.
In the email, please include:
- Your name
- Practice location
- Member number
- A few sentences about your experience in providing care to patients in rural or remote areas and why you would like to join the group.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact OA Strategic Policy and Program Advisor Nicola Anstice at n.anstice@optometry.org.au.