Optometrists are starting to be referred to as “the new primary care physician.” As a healthcare professional, the care, well-being, and safety of patients must always be your first priority. While this is a great ideal for ODs, they must remember to keep up with their standards of practice. According to the General Optical Council (GOC) of the UK, these standards range from behavior to professional performance.

Standards of Practice for Eye Care Professionals

While the GOC lists 19 standards, the ideas behind each can be broken down into 3 main thoughts.

Be Kind

1. Truly listen and understand patients.
2. Have open communications with patients.
3. Center care around patients' unique needs.

Work Intelligently

1. Continue educating yourself on the latest industry updates.
2. Recognize and work within your abilities and collaborate with those who can help fill the gaps.
3. Ensure you receive clear consent to perform all appropriate assessments and exams.
4. Suggest appropriate care and referrals.
5. Keep stringent patient records.

Be Honest & Trustworthy

1. Create a safe environment.
2. Respect and treat everyone without discrimination.
3. Maintain confidentiality and personal boundaries.
4. Respond effectively and thoughtfully to complaints.
5. Be honest when things go wrong.