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Education Developing the

Professor Rishi Agarwal Health and Social Care. LSBU with recalls a long journey that its progressive policy in health and social care proved the ideal finally led to the setting up venue for the project and of a doctorate in optometry was included with other health- related . In 2008 a at a UK of Optometry course was established at the Institute of Optometry in -specific partnership with LSBU. In the same doctorate in year another professional doctorate was already awarded course leading to Doctor of Optometry in the late 12th and (and also Ophthalmic Doctorate) was early 13th centuries established at . These at Bologna, Paris and were landmark events for British Oxford.A Formal instructions were also optometry. provided at these for the In 2005 the UK Council for award of (MD) Graduate Education (UKCGE) defined degree. The Doctor of I Love Images/Rex a professional doctorate as ‘an award at (PhD) degree was established in Professional will provide continuous doctoral level where the field of study the early 19th century at Berlin for professional development to the highest level is a professional discipline and which is on-campus independent research by distinguished from the PhD by a supervised students in a specified degree courses in optometry were that refers to that profession’. According discipline and a significant and original not even established as yet and Dr to a UKCGE report published in 2010, contribution to knowledge was Max Sorsby, a member of the General the number of professional doctorates expected by the universities. It was Optical Council, also attending the on offer in the UK has almost tripled a new concept for the development congress, said he was not in favour of between 1998 and 2009 from 109 to of knowledge at the time. Because adopting the title optometrist. 308 in 71 British institutions. research was considered important for Ten years later I floated the idea of the advancement of knowledge and a Doctor of Optometry programme in Complementary studies social progress, universities in the UK, the UK (, Oct 16 1971, page In addition to PhD programmes, US and other countries also established 926). I felt encouraged by the response profession-specific doctorates should research-based doctoral degrees. I received from the British Chapter of also be offered at all those British Eventually the PhD degree became an the American of Optometry, universities presently offering entry- internationally known academic award established in 1951 by two British level degree courses in optometry. covering a wide range of disciplines, optometrists the Rt Hon John Roby Both types of doctorates are necessary symbolising academic excellence and Benson and Eric Bateman. for the development of optometry. attaining a gold standard status. In 1972 in the US I met Dr V Professional doctorates will not replace Eugene McCrary, a past president well established PhD programmes. Early ambitions of the American Optometric These doctoral studies should be My interest in a profession-specific Association who was very supportive regarded as complementary. doctorate in optometry began in 1961 of my aspirations. At his suggestion The development of healthcare when I attended the International I attended an optometric event professions is an ongoing process Ophthalmic Optical Congress in sponsored by the Virginia Optometric necessary for the advancement of London, opened by the then minister Association (Optician, 24 June 1972, professional work and in the context of health Rt Hon Enoch Powell page 620). There he introduced me to of optometry as a primary healthcare MP. It was inspiring to meet several several like-minded US optometrists. profession it is crucial for the delivery Americans qualified with a professional From 1972 I began to explore of excellent eye care. In the UK doctorate in optometry. I wondered the possibility of finding a British optometry is practised in accordance whether a profession-specific doctorate university which could set up a course with statutory regulations. Continuing in optometry would ever be offered leading to a postgraduate professional education in all forms and at different in the UK. Despite the fact it was doctorate in optometry. Several health levels is essential for professional not a realistic aspiration I decided to ministers later and after a long and excellence; professional doctorates ask George Giles OBE, optometrist, tortuous journey without achieving will provide continuous professional barrister and BOA secretary who was my goal, it was in 2004 that I was development to the highest level. ● at the helm of British optometry at asked by the Institute of Optometry the time, whether it would ever be to find a suitable university for the ● Rishi Agarwal is director of an option. With his usual sense of purpose. I continued with my search. post graduate education at the Institute humour he said ‘maybe you will start By the end of 2005 I approached of Optometry and visiting professor to the course one day’. I soon realised that London South Bank University. I the Faculty of Health and Social Care at I was being over ambitious considering had several meetings with Professor London South Bank University. He is a the professional culture in healthcare David Sines at LSBU who was then past president of the British Chapter of the then prevalent in the UK. Professional executive dean to the Faculty of American Academy of Optometry

26 | Optician | 14.02.14 opticianonline.net