Section

General


Domains: Communication, Leadership & accountability

No CPD Points

Conducting remote consultations and triaging patients presenting with acute ocular symptoms is now common in optometric practice. Being able to identify key signs and symptoms and understand when further investigation is required to make a provisional differential diagnosis can be challenging without the ability to examine a patient directly.

This recorded lecture by Dr Michael Johnson was filmed during the Covid-19 pandemic, but the principles are relevant in general to remote consultations. It will cover the key points to consider during a remote consultation including:

  • Remote consultation etiquette
  • Key questions to ask
  • Red flag symptoms and related ocular disease
  • Referrals and management
  • Patient advice and follow-up
  • Record keeping.
Since the pandemic, remote consultations have become more common. You should use your professional judgement to decide whether it is in the patient's best interests to offer remote consultations, but they should not be used for conducting an eye examination or sight test.


First published: June 2020
Last reviewed: September 2024

    Open all

    Instructions: Clicking on the section name will show / hide the section.

    View only 'Topic 1'

    Communication 

    s.2 Communicate effectively with patients

    • Able to take an effective history and symptoms during a remote consultation when a patient presents with acute ocular symptoms.
    • Able to effectively advise patients about their ocular condition, any treatment, follow-up or referral required during a remote consultation.

    Leadership and accountability 

    s.12  Ensure a safe environment for your patients

    • Understand which patients are suitable for a remote consultation and be able to identify when a patient requires further investigation or referral, taking into account the urgency of the situation and your level of competence. 

    s.8 Maintain adequate patient records

    • Understand the records that need to be made during and following a remote patient consultation.

      View only 'Topic 2'

      Please note: The markers in the video refer to chapter headings (listed below). You can use these markers to return to a specific section if you can’t watch the recording in one sitting. For more information on viewing Docet videos, including how to watch them in full screen and how to screencast, please go to our FAQs


      View only 'Topic 3'
      View only 'Topic 4'
      View only 'Topic 5'

      Certificate available only to users who had successfully completed the CPD quiz prior to 22 December 2022.

      Save this document and upload it to your MyGOC account to claim your CPD points.