Addressing Access to CE Through Accreditation Policies

Health Care Problem: Access to quality optometric continuing education during the pandemic was limited. Licensing boards restricted the number of CE hours that could be taken virtually. The COPE Governing Committee determined that format policy changes were needed to allow virtual CE in lieu of in-person CE. COPE's desired outcome was to prove that the overall quality of education is more important than the location of the course.

Educational Strategy: The COPE Governing Committee reviewed its accreditation system and validated the core principles for quality continuing education. Regulatory limitations for Optometry restrict the format to in-person live CE in many jurisdictions. A comprehensive literature search and analysis comparing the same activity delivered live in-person and virtually demonstrated the same if not better outcomes for interactive virtual CE. Based on these data, the Committee recommended that synchronous interactivity is the key component to determine quality of CE to state regulatory boards. Including synchronous interactive format in the category of “live” CE for state licensing boards expands access to quality CE.

Patient-Level Outcome(s) Measured: The policy changes were socialized among regulatory boards through a formal Call for Comment. Initial feedback was supportive. Future outcomes measures would include actual statutory, regulatory and/or policy changes for CE format for maintenance of optometry licensure.