General
Domains: Communication, Professionalism
No CPD Points
Welcome to Sound Optometry, a podcast from Docet hosted by Michelle Hanratty, an IP optometrist with over 20 years’ experience in both high street and hospital settings. Each month, through case studies and in-depth conversations, we explore the topics that matter most to you as an optometrist and are relevant to everyday practice.
Episode 38 – Evidence-based practice: What, where, why?
This episode encourages optometrists to understand the basic principles of evidence-based practice in optometry: What evidence is needed, where it can be found and why it is important.
Presenter Michelle Hanratty discusses how optometrists can access the correct resources to allow them to make evidence-based decisions about a product or treatment that they intend to recommend to a patient. Paramdeep Bilku, Clinical Advisor for the College of Optometrists, explains the hierarchy of evidence that optometrists can consider and how the College uses this approach to publish guidance for its members.
Michelle and Paramdeep discuss the importance of this approach in everyday practice with specific examples, and we hear from Alan Hawrami, an IP optometrist who specialises in delivering community- based ophthalmology. Explaining supporting evidence to patients is a part of the consent process and ensures that the patient is at the heart of decisions made about their care.
An additional reading element consolidates the learning on this topic.
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First published: April 2024
Last reviewed: December 2024