The Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board (ODOB) is reviewing its cultural competence standards and has completed a consultation to secure member feedback. Chair Jayesh Chouhan said the cultural standards were last reviewed in 2018, so were due for a review this year.
It was also a timely opportunity to address the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance (HPCA) Act Amendment Bill 2019 (section 118i), which added the inclusion of “competencies that will enable effective and respectful interaction with Māori,” he said. “Cultural competency is an integral and important facet of being a safe and competent health practitioner.
“Practitioners are expected to demonstrate the appropriate attitudes, awareness, knowledge and skills. They should take all reasonable steps to meet the diverse needs of their client population and these competencies are proposed to set standards and enhance practice, which includes effective and respectful interaction with Māori.”
The amended standards will also complement recertification requirements related to cultural competency, said Chouhan, including compulsory cultural CPD and the requirement of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi) workshop and related learnings for new registrants. “In addition, cultural competency is also addressed as part of the random self-audit, which all practitioners are required to complete.”
The review is being led by Cherie Chu-Fuluifaga, a senior lecturer at the faculty of education at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University, who has consulted with relevant stakeholders including eyecare practitioners identifying as Māori and the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand’s Indigenous Strategy Taskforce. The six-week consultation period closed on 29 October 2021, with finalisation and subsequent implementation of the standards due in November 2021.
