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For the last fifteen years or so I have been honored to provide continuing education (CE) classes for eye care professionals from around the world.
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While it is usually not a good idea to stereotype or paint with broad brushstrokes, I have observed that attendees generally belong to one of three groups, which might accurately be described as 93, 5, or 2.
In my opinion and experience, ninety-three percent of the people who attend CE classes attend for one reason, and one reason only: They must obtain a minimum number of CE hours in order to renew their license to practice. This is required by the state and/or the
ABO/NCLE. While that requirement exists for the other two groups as well, for these 93ers, this is the only reason they attend. It’s a safe bet that if there were no CE requirements for license renewal they would not be there. Don’t get me wrong, these are good, kind people. They are usually attentive, and if pushed, will participate in class discussions and activities.
The second group - the five percent - are also there because they have to be, but they resent it. They arrive late, take as many extra breaks as they can, and pester the members of both other groups. They slink to the back row. They sometimes carry on private conversations with one another, showing utter disrespect for me and the other attendees. Some of them sleep. Some of them sleep and snore. A few have arrived obviously under the influence of…something. Other attendees complain about them, and sometimes complain to them.
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A few years ago, an optician literally stood up in the middle of one of the classes, turned around, and shouted, “Would you please shut up!” at one of the 5ers. These people lack any semblance of professionalism. Not surprisingly, these are also mostly the people who go from job to job, never making it past the first rung of any corporate ladder. They complain that they have been overlooked for promotions, and in their view the have been wronged by nearly every employer they’ve ever had.
Which leaves the last group: the few, the proud - the elite two-percent. They arrive early so they can get a seat up front. They are friendly, well-dressed, and exude professionalism. They ask questions and proactively participate in all class activities. They take notes! They stay after the session to share insights or ask more questions. They take pride in their careers and their profession. They are well-paid and highly valued employees, though many of them are not employees at all. They are independent practitioners, somehow magically thriving in this fierce, competitive, recession-laden economy. You think there might be a connection there?
The quintessential example of their behavior can be summed up with a young woman named Maria. A few years ago I was teaching a class toward the end of the biennium in Florida. I noticed Maria was in attendance. (We instructors tend to remember people who fit in either of the extreme groups.) I was surprised she was there because I had remembered her being at a few seminars earlier that year and the year before. In other words I thought she had already fulfilled her 20-hours of CE requirement. When I asked her about that, she replied that yes, she indeed had already taken enough hours. When I asked her why she was there, she simply and without hesitation said she heard I was to be the instructor and that the titles of a couple of the classes I was teaching sounded interesting. She said, “I’ll tell you what Anthony, I don’t care if I get credit or not…just give me one or two things I can take back to work with me…I’ll be happy,” Wow! If only we had more Marias in our profession.
Regardless to which group you belong, I have a few suggestions that might make the whole process of continuing education a little more bearable for both you, and the instructors.
First, don’t just go through the motions. Don’t be an automaton. Too often we get comfortable with our habits. For example, in my home state of Florida there are some ECPs who will only attend seminars sponsored by the POF (Professional Opticians of Florida), CEDO (Continuing Education for Dispensing Opticians), or the NAO (National Academy of Opticianry), and be damned if they’ll switch it up and try one of the other organizations. While loyalty is admirable, you risk losing fresh insight and information by always going to the same classes. Take a chance!
Second, consider “participating” in some of the CE modules that appear in this magazine and some of the other industry publications. While some of those modules will not be accepted for CE credit by your state (check with your Board to be sure), most are eligible for ABO credit. Regardless of whether you need ABO credit or not, why not read them and answer the assessment at the end? Here’s a novel idea: Maybe you’ll learn something new! Not a month goes by, that I do just that. Walk the talk I always say. And don’t just do it because I suggest it…I bet Maria does the same thing!
Finally, ask your employer for access to all of the CBL (computer-based learning) modules they have available. Again, some may be eligible for CE credit, and many will have some valuable information. There are three great advantages when it comes to home-study classes and CBLs. One, you can do them at your leisure. Two, you can go back and do them again. And three…you don’t have to put up with and of the 5-percent-ers!
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