Case study · Regulators
Independent Prescribing and Contact Lens Optician consultations for the GOC
Two public and stakeholder consultations combined online surveys with qualitative engagement to test proposed changes to education and training requirements for specialist entry to the GOC register.
AudienceRegistrants, patients, and wider stakeholders
ApproachTwo online consultations plus 14 focus groups
Value to General Optical CouncilIndependent evidence on proposed education and training requirements
The brief
- The GOC needed to consult on proposed changes to education and training requirements for specialist entry to its register.
- Enventure Research supported planning, delivery, qualitative engagement, analysis, and reporting for both the Independent Prescribing and Contact Lens Optician consultations.
The approach
- For each consultation, Enventure supported development of the online questionnaire, additional qualitative activity, and independent analysis.
- The Independent Prescribing consultation ran for 12 weeks and included five registrant focus groups and two patient groups.
- The Contact Lens Optician consultation ran for 15 weeks and also included five registrant groups and two patient groups, with representation across the UK.
The outcome
- All consultation evidence was analysed and brought together in two comprehensive reports.
- The findings gave the GOC an independent assessment of views on proposed requirements, likely impacts, and suggested changes.
- The evidence informed the GOC's decisions on its updated specialist education and training framework.