Professional and educational landscape in Central and Eastern Europe: Challenges and Opportunities - Saturday, 12 May 2018 - Pula
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Professional and educational landscape in Central and Eastern Europe: Challenges and Opportunities Saturday, 12 May 2018 - Pula
Questionnaire results • 11 responses • 9 countries: – Estonia – Macedonia – Republic of Moldova – Lithuania – Hungary – Bulgaria (3x) – Russia – Latvia – Israel
What is the status of the professions of optometry and optics in your country? (1/4) • Estonia: Not regulated, social ministry, everybody can open optical shop, right to work as optometrist only if graduated • Macedonia: Regulated by Ministry of Health but not good, seek change • Republic of Moldova: Optometry regulated as a health care profession since 2015 according to the Classification of occupation in Moldova - optometrists and opticians 2267 approved by the Ministry of Labor, Social protection and Family.( nr 22 March 2014)
What is the status of the professions of
optometry and optics in your country? (2/4)
• Lithuania:
– Optics has no status and it is not regulated in Lithuania. Optometry is
not regulated currently.
– A few years ago, the Ministry of Health Care has started to develop a
regulation system of optometry.
– Since November of this year, optometrists will be included in the list of
healthcare professions. From November of 2019, optometrists will
have a stamp number. Since the beginning of 2020, the
Accreditation Service will provide licenses for optometrists.
– Currently there are no special requirements for optics’ shops, except
there is an ophthalmologist employed.
– Nevertheless, in the near future, when regulation will come into force,
hygiene standards and license for optometrist activities will be
mandatory.
What is the status of the professions of
optometry and optics in your country? (3/4)
• Hungary: Regulated by the Ministry of Human Capacities and the
Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The opening of the shops are
licensed by the State Public Health and Medical Officer Service and the
local government.
• Bulgaria: On Sept 21st ,2006 c.a. the National Assembly of the Republic of
Bulgaria unanimously passed an amendment in the Health Act whereby
the two professions were integrated and re-defined as healthcare
professions. The amendment was promulgated on Oct 6th,2006 in State
Gazette. But untill to day the both professions are still not regulated .
According to commercial law, every entrepreneur in Bulgaria can open
an optical shop. However, there are requirements in the Health Act that
determine who has the right to manage the optical shop - this must be a
graduate optician or optometrist. There is no Ordinance setting minimum
requirements for standards in optics and optometry equipment.
What is the status of the professions of optometry and optics in your country? (4/4) • Russia: Regulated Ministry of Healthcare License for optometry services • Latvia: From the year 2020, the optometrist becomes a medical person. From this date, optometrists will be regulated by the structures of the Ministry of Health. A healthcare worker may work in a medical institution. The medical institution is subject to special conditions. The opening of an optometrist cabinet will be regulated. There is no regulation opt-in store. • Israel: It is regulated by The Ministry of Health. Anyone can open a shop but only a registered optometrist can carry out eye examinations
What educational programmes exist for the optometry and/or optics in your country? (1/4) • Estonia: Tallinn Health Care College, Diploma is equal to bachelor. Applied science. • Macedonia: 4 years for optics and 3 years for optometry • Republic of Moldova : The teaching program of optometrists started on 1 September 2017 at State University of Medicine and Pharmacy Nicolae Testemitanu of Moldova due to the Eurasia project Enhancing primary eye health care in Moldova CPEA -2015/10066, the valuable support of Norway government , University College of Southeast of Norway , etc. The teaching program is conducting according to the EDO requirements and offers 240 credits and lasts 4 years.
What educational programmes exist for the
optometry and/or optics in your country? (2/4)
• Lithuania:
– There is no education program for optics, neither intentions to
start it. Since 2004, optometrists were educated at the Faculty of
Physical Sciences, Šiauliai University. Absolvents of this study
programme have a bachelor’s degree diploma of Physical
Sciences.
– Next year this study programmme will be closed and a new one
will be started. The new study programmewill be established at
the Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University.
– Therefore, absolvents of this new programme will obtain a
bachelor’s diploma of optometry in Biomedical Sciences.
What educational programmes exist for the
optometry and/or optics in your country? (3/4)
• Hungary:
– Optics: optician training (up to 25 years: full-time education, over 25
years: adult education)
– Optometry: Semmelweis University of Medicine, Faculty of Health
Sciences, 8 semesters Procedure: written exam, oral exam, practical
training, state exam, diploma work.
• Bulgaria: There are several Programs. There are two programs for
the optics The first Program is taught by Opticians. The second
program teaches Medical Optics. Optometry Education also has
two programs - the first program trains optometrists, and the
second Clinical optometrists.
• Russia: There are two main educational programs under one
specialty called "Medical Optics": 1. Medical Optician - 3 year
course 2. Optometrist - 4 year course
What educational programmes exist for the optometry and/or optics in your country? (4/4) • Latvia: University Bachelor's Academic Program 3 years and then Professional optometry Master's Program 2 years. To work as an optometrist, the total study period is 5 years. • Israel: Bar-Ilan University and Hadassah Academic College in Jerusalem have a programme to educate and train optometry students
What educational level would you like to see implemented in your country as the most optimal for the profession? (1/2) • Estonia: BSc seems to be enough right now. 3,5 years, 210 ECTS. • Macedonia:4 years optometry or 4 years optic and optometry with specialization after 2 years. Optometry is medical school but want to be physics. • Republic of Moldova:1st cycle-of university studies – license • Lithuania: We consider that bachelor degree is optimal. Nevertheless, we will seek to have a master’s degree program for those students, who will want to deepen their knowledge of optometry science and clinical competencies. • Hungary: The MSc is absent from the current education system, the highest level of qualification is BSc.
What educational level would you like to see
implemented in your country as the most optimal for
the profession? (2/2)
• Bulgaria:
– There are the following levels of study - For opticians - high school
and professional bachelor For optometrists - bachelor, master
and doctorate.
– Minimum BSc and optional MSc
• Russia: BSc, MSc, OD, PhD in Optometry
• Latvia: We believe that the existing programme is good.
Bachelor plus Professional Master.
• Israel: We have a BSc course at both facilitiesWhat is the scope of practice in your country? (1/4) • Estonia: Refraction, CL fitting, dispensing glasses, almost everything, but not diagnosing eye diseases and use diagnostic or other drugs. Referral to ophthalmologist in case of abnormality. • Macedonia: Scope of practice is limited • Republic of Moldova : The optometrist will be allowed to perform dispensing, refraction, prescription, contact lens fitting, participate in screening, diagnosis ( eye examination). except treatment.
What is the scope of practice in your country? (2/4) • Lithuania: Currently, vision tests with appropriate equipment and give a qualified consultation about glasses (frames, lenses, sunglasses, etc.) for customers of the optics’ shop. After the regulation primary eye health care services: evaluate eye health by making bio-microscopy and other eye health and vision tests, prescribe corrective glasses, fit contact lenses and educate patients about eye health issues. Optometrists will not be allowed to use diagnostic and therapeutic drugs. • Hungary: all of them
What is the scope of practice in your country?
(3/4)
• Bulgaria:
– According to the law, opticians and optometrists are allowed to
manufacture and sell eyeglasses and contact lenses and other
optical devises . Nowhere in the Law is explicitly mentioned that the
two groups have no right to refraction. There are also no restrictive
measures on the issue of contact lenses and their sale. According to
the Law, doctors allowed to work in the optician's area have the right
to prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses.
– As the rights and obligations of optometrists and opticians are not
sufficiently detailed in the Regulation, practically everyone does what
they decide.
• Russia: Allowed - Refraction, standard contact lens fitting...etc
Not allowed - diagnostic and therapeutic drugs, individual
contact lens (orthokeratology) fitting, children refraction... etcWhat is the scope of practice in your country? (4/4) • Latvia: Eye examinations, prescription of spectacles and contact lenses, correction of eyesight with glasses and contact lenses, visual exercises, sale of vision correction means. All this is determined by the profession standard of optometrist. • Israel: Refraction, Contact lens fitting, selling and dispensing spectacles
What are the main issues you are currently
dealing with? (1/3)
• Estonia: legislation of optometry, license. It has been on the table
for several years already, but our SM is really slow (or heavily
loaded with more important work).
• Macedonia: dialogue with government ongoing
• Republic of Moldova : As we are at the beginning of our teaching
process and some of the topics are new for us : - lack of
equipment ( dispensing lab, contact lens fitting, etc) , books,
teaching materials, etc.
• Lithuania: The biggest issue is the process of legislation for the
regulation of optometry profession. Additionally, we have some
issues in developing the new study programme. We are seeking
to have the study program as close as possible to programme of
the ECOO European Diploma in Optometry.What are the main issues you are currently
dealing with? (2/3)
• Hungary: It would be really good if we could improve the relationship
between the eye doctors/oculists and the optometrist society. We are
constantly working on it.
• Bulgaria:
– Negotiations with Health ministry for legislation of the profession.
– There is a fundamental change in the law - the two professions of opticians
and optometrists are recognized as health care providers. The next steps that
need to be taken are to create secondary legislation with established
standards for recognizing the level of education and the right to practice the
acquired skills and competences. Consolidate professionals around the idea
of creating an organization that can self-regulate and self-identify in order to
be a partner of the state in the discussion of the branch and educational
policy.
– "Optometry and ocular health", 04-06 October 2018, Sofia. This is a joint project
with Sofia University, make the profession of optometrist and its benefits more
familiar to society, organize screenings of vision, lobby that ophthalmologists
can also benefit from optometristsWhat are the main issues you are currently dealing with? (3/3) • Russia: Government believes that Optometry is a part of Ophthalmology. We are in the process of Federal Professional Standard in Optometry approval • Latvia: Association work with the Ministry of Health on the rules for the inclusion of optometrists in the health system. • Israel: Upgrading the standard of the course
About ECOO European umbrella association, representing the interests of Opticians and Optometrists in Europe Our vision To improve vision and eye health by providing high-quality, cost- effective optometric and optical services across Europe.
About ECOO
Executive committee: Elected, General Assembly: All members,
provides strategic direction highest decision making power
Standing committees: Elected, Secretariat: Brussels based, represents
work on specific projects ECOO interests at EU levelAbout ECOO Our mission • To improve eye health and vision for all and eliminate avoidable blindness and visual impairment in Europe. • To create a harmonised professional and educational system for optometry and optics based on the European Diploma in Optometry and the Qualification in Optics. • To develop the scope of practice for optometrists and opticians to the degree that the same high standards apply and are mutually recognised in all European countries
ECOO’s work and activities at EU and national
level
EU level
Data National
gathering support
ECOO
Profession
Communi al
cations developm
ent
EducationEU-level
Mutual
Proportionality
evaluation of
test directive
professions
Vision and Classification
driving of Fluorescein
Medical devices
legislation GDPREU-level • Mutual evaluation example
National support • Upon invitation by an ECOO member • Information and comparisons with other countries • Speaking at conferences • Joining meetings with policy makers • Support letters
Professional development
WCO Categories of Optometric Services
1. 2. 3. 4.
Optical Visual Ocular Ocular
Technology Function Diagnostic Therapeutic
Services Services Services Services
-----------------------------------------
a) without drugs b) with drugs
dispensing dispensing dispensing dispensing
dispensing refraction refraction refraction
refraction Prescription prescription prescription
Prescription Recognition of
Diagnosis and Diagnosis and
abnormality management of eye
Recognition management disease
Diagnosis and
of of eye using DPA’s
management (diagnostics)
abnormality disease
of eye treatment of
disease using DPA’s eye disease
(diagnostics) using TPA’s
(therapeutics)
© Feike Grit 2006Scope of Practice of Optometry
Box 1 Box 2 Box 3 Box 4 Box 5
Turkey Belgium Austria Finland Australia
France Czech Rep Ireland Canada
Iceland Denmark Netherlands Colombia
Italy Germany Norway New Zealand
Spain Sweden Nigeria
Switzerland* UK
US
OPTICIAN REFRACTING OPTOMETRIST OPTOMETRIST OPTOMETRIST
OPTICIAN DOCTOR OF
OPTOMETRY
dispensing dispensing dispensing dispensing dispensing
refraction refraction refraction refraction
prescription prescription prescription prescription
screening for diagnosis of diagnosis of eye disease
eye disease eye disease using DPA’s
using DPA’s (diagnostics)
(diagnostics) treatment of eye disease
* Diagnostics not using TPA’s (therapeutics)
legal
© Feike Grit 2010Education
• European Diploma in Optometry
• European Qualifications in Optics
Number of graduates over
the years
65
43 46
37
28
16
2 3 1 5 1 1 5 1 1Communications
Data gathering ECOO Blue Book
ECOO membership More than 40 national associations from 24 countries
Discussion: collaboration and support
Your responses:
Recognition of the profession and standard
• Upgrade and support academic standards (accreditation in the future)
• Bring regulatory status to the same level across Europe
Information and sharing
• Access to information about professional policies in Europe
• Share experience with other organisations
Representation and support
• Opinion/recommendation to support national outreach and objectives
• Support recognition of independent profession, achieve legislation
• Attendance at national events, promote ECOO nationally
• Balance between Optics and Optometry interests
• Interest representation at EU-level (e.g. e-commerce)
Organisational
• Lower feesECOO membership
Benefits:
Support network
Information sharing platform
Project specific work
Studies, position papers and press releases
Development of the scope of practice and educational
standards across Europe
Information on legislative developments at EU level and from
other EU countries
Fee:
Formula based on population and GDP (neutral)
Minimum feeNext steps
Contact European Council of Optometry and Optics (ECOO) Rue de la Loi 227, bte 4 B-1040 Brussels T +32 (0)2 580 05 32 E-mail: secretariat@ecoo.info www.ecoo.info
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