The Australian College of Optometry (ACO) Certificate in Public Health and Leadership is open for registration once again following its success last year, said organisers.

Launched in April 2019, the unique course equips eye care and health professionals with skills to improve the health of communities through rigorous exposure to key aspects of public health and practical assessments, said ACO course director Dr Michelle Waugh.

“The ACO partners with leaders in the field to cover such topics as health promotion, impact assessment, healthcare systems, eye care for disadvantaged and vulnerable populations, policymaking and research for eye disease and injury prevention.” The course also includes a leadership module that explores the roles of leaders and their impact on both organisational performance and broader social outcomes, she said.

Former Auckland University optometry graduate Michael Li said he was attracted to the course last year because of a personal interest in public health. “As a profession, I found that we have relatively low integration and understanding of the broader health system. This led me to undertake this certificate to improve my knowledge in an area which is typically not covered extensively at university.”

Rather than relying on traditional exams, the course requires the development and submission of capstone projects, a personal leadership and development plan and a public health working project. “The project-based assessments allow candidates to really think outside the box and tailor their projects to their own areas of development and personal interest,” said Dr Waugh.

Li said one of the key aspects of the course for him was being able to draw from the experiences and wisdom of the wide variety of experts involved. “It has inspired me to seek leadership roles aimed towards leading health initiatives in my community.”

Founded in 1939, the ACO is a not-for-profit organisation that operates Australasia’s largest public optometry clinic. It’s Certificate in Public Health and Leadership course starts on 25 May. www.aco.org.au/professional-development.