In Team Training

Follow this topic

Bookmark

Record learning outcomes

Training your team and ensuring everyone's knowledge is up-to-date are important CPD triggers. We suggest that you get the team together for a training session based on the activities below and discuss the various ways in which you can offer customers and patients added care in this category.

Subject: Eye Care

This Train Your Team checklist provides support and information to run a team training session on eye care. This content can also be used for your own CPD.

Reflection

• Do we advise customers on the importance of regular eye tests?
• Do I know which visual symptoms are medical emergencies and require immediate referral?
• Do I understand the pathology, symptoms and causes of dry eye? Am I confident in my advice to customers with dry eye regarding the appropriate use of lubricant eye drops? (See: www.nhs.uk/conditions/dry-eye-syndrome/Pages/ Introduction.aspx)
• Do I know which medicines can cause dry eye?

Training checklist

Ensure support staff understand the following key points:

• Sight is one of our most important senses – eyes should be treated with care
• The structure of the eye and the role of the different parts of the eye
• Blindness affects two million people in the UK; 50 per cent of sight loss can be avoided
• The components and function of tears
• Measures to protect the eyes from UV damage and injury
• The importance of regular eye check-ups
• Minor eye conditions (e.g. dry eye and conjunctivitis) likely to present in the pharmacy and how to treat them
• Serious eye conditions that can pose a threat to a person’s vision
• When to refer to the pharmacist.

I will:

• Reassess our interventions for customers with eye health issues and visual difficulties
• Revise my knowledge on dry eye and its treatment
• Train my pharmacy assistants to ensure they can meet the points in this training checklist.

Practice activity

Consider how your pharmacy could promote eye care during National Eye Health Week (September 22-28). (See: www.eyecaretrust.org.uk)