Join our groups to help shape your future

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By Helen Carter

Journalist

Optometry Australia is looking for members to participate in a new advisory group on evolving scope of practice, and special interest groups on rural optometry, eye care in culturally and linguistically diverse communities and closing the gap in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health outcomes.

The groups will have meetings online via tele or video-conference.

CEO Lyn Brodie said the organisation sought to tap into the expertise of its members to achieve its mission to lead, engage and promote optometry, optometrists and community eye health.

‘To ensure your perspective is heard, I invite you to participate in the advisory and special interest groups,’ she said. ‘Your participation will assist to further our thinking regarding optometry’s evolving scope of practice, and ensure we are aware of the benefits and challenges of eye care across different settings.’

The Evolving Scope of Practice Advisory Group is in response to Optometry Australia’s Optometry 2040 Project which highlighted that optometric scope of practice needs to evolve. The group will seek advice from members with relevant experience and interest to guide thinking about how optometric scope can be maximised and/or enhanced to best meet community need within rapidly changing contexts, and what steps can be taken to support an approach that provides community safety, promotes community eye health and fosters stakeholder support. It will meet mid-July 2019 for a two-year period. Expected meeting frequency is three to four 90-minute online meetings per year.

To express your interest in being involved in the Advisory Group, please email your CV and a brief outline of your expertise or interest in these discussions to policy@optometry.org.au or call our team on 03 9668 8500 by 21 June.

The special interest groups on rural optometry, eye care in culturally and linguistically diverse communities and closing the gap in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health outcomes aim to provide optometrists working in these fields the opportunity to engage with each other and Optometry Australia on the challenges and opportunities each provide.

The Rural Optometry Challenges and Solutions Special Interest Group will meet on 2 July, 7.30 to 8.30pm AEST to discuss challenges and opportunities of optometrists working in a variety of ways in rural and remote Australia including practices and visiting services.

The Eye Care in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities Special Interest Group will meet on 16 July, 7.30 to 8.30pm AEST. While delivering quality eyecare to these communities can bring new perspectives and experiences which can benefit patient and practitioner, it can also bring challenges which must be understood and addressed to ensure the best patient outcomes.

The Closing the Gap in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eye Health Outcomes Special Interest Group will meet on 6 August, 730 to 8.30pm AEST. In the past decade the gap in eye health and vision for Indigenous Australians has halved but optometry remains critical to the ongoing effort to close the gap in eye health outcomes.

To express your interest in being involved in any of these discussions, please email policy@optometry.org.au or call our team on 03 9668 8500 by 21 June.