The purpose of the surveys is to obtain information about current practice that can be used for the benefit of the profession. Valuable though it is, the questionnaire approach cannot on its own constitute a long-term review process. True review is concerned with improving clinical decision-making by an exchange of information on clinical matters amongst professional peers. The College has therefore developed a scheme for local peer review to enable this exchange of information to take place, by bringing practitioners together in review groups. The College sees this as a valuable learning process.
Different practitioners approach clinical problems in different but equally valid ways.
Discussing the various approaches amongst peers stimulates interest and broadens perspectives. Simply put, clinicians can learn from each other. The College is keen to encourage any group of practitioners to participate, and review groups can comprise Local or Area Optometric Committees and Associations, optometrists working for a corporate body, practices geographically located in the same area, or any other grouping. College recognition is given both to the groups as entities, provided their sessions meet certain criteria, and to individual participants. Attendance at sessions can be submitted for retrospective CET credits at the rate of one credit per hour of discussion.