Speech by Mr Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Health at the 18th Asia Pacific Optometric Congress on 24 Nov 2011

Welcome

1    Let me begin by first extending a warm welcome to all of our Optometric colleagues who have come from the Asia Pacific and other regions. It gives me great pleasure to join you at this year’s Optometric Congress.

Optometry as a Profession

2    This Congress was last held in Singapore more than a decade ago in 1995. The field of optometry has since made considerable progress in Singapore. A particularly notable milestone is the enactment of the Optometrists and Opticians Act.

3    The Act was passed in Parliament in July 2007 to ensure that those who provide eye care services are properly trained and qualified. With the Act implemented in January 2008, optometrists and opticians are required to be registered with the Optometrists and Opticians Board in order to practise in Singapore. This was shortly followed by the launch of the Code of Professional Conduct and Professional Practice Guidelines in February 2010. The Code spells out the principles that optometrists and opticians are expected to uphold, and provides a yardstick for their own conduct and behaviour. Equally important, the Guidelines detail the directions recommended by the Board in specific areas of practice, and sets the minimum standards expected of all optometrists and opticians in the discharge of their professional duties.

Professionalism

4    Beyond the Code of Conduct and Guidelines, what really sets professionals apart from non-professionals? It is not difficult to come up with a list of elements that make a profession. Most would agree that the main criteria would include:
(a) expert knowledge and specialized skills in a specific field of practice; (b) legal recognition for the attainment of the prescribed competence; (c) a certain degree of work autonomy; and (d) high ethical standards in exercising that autonomy.
Being a professional, however, should be more than just being a part of a recognised profession. It is professionalism that lies at the core of what defines a true professional.

5    In this regard, there are diverse perspectives on what constitutes “professionalism”. Some focus on professionalism as an externally imposed expectation of what the boundaries of a profession’s authority and responsibility should be. Others place greater emphasis on the influential capacity of the professional himself. These interpretations view professionalism as an attitude that individuals possess towards their occupations.

6    One definition which I find captures the essence of both viewpoints is this: “Meticulous adherence to undeviating courtesy, honesty and responsibility in one's dealings with customers and associates, plus a level of excellence that goes over and above the commercial considerations and legal requirements.”

Supervisory Framework

7    Besides the duty of care owed to the customers served by the profession, contained within that definition is the additional dimension of the professional’s dealings with his associates. Indeed, collegiate practice is often a feature that is characteristic of professions. This is evident in the practice of optometry in Singapore.

8    A supervisory framework for provisionally registered optometrists was implemented in September 2009. The objective of the framework is to assess and build on the core competencies that the provisional registrants have gained during the course of their optometry education and training. Under this framework, candidates are required to maintain a portfolio of cases that cover various disciplines of practice. The portfolios must be submitted to the Optometrists and Opticians Board for evaluation. Each registrant is assessed, and if successful, would be awarded full registration.

Continuing Professional Education

9    Another feature that distinguishes professional practice is the emphasis on continuing professional education or “CPE”. Such continual professional development is important, given that every profession is built upon a foundation of specialised knowledge that continually evolves as the field develops.

10    In October 2008, the Board started a voluntary CPE programme. All optometrists and opticians are strongly encouraged to engage in CPE to ensure that they maintain high standards of practice and keep abreast of new developments in their respective fields.

Future Development

11    Although much progress has been achieved so far, with just over four years since the introduction of the Act, the optometry profession in Singapore is still relatively young. In time to come, the Ministry of Health may explore whether the scope of practice for optometrists could be expanded. One example is to allow the
use of diagnostic eye drops by optometrists as part of their practice. However, this needs to be studied further. Let us take things one step at a time.

12    Meanwhile, I am pleased to know that the Board will continue to refine the continuing professional education programme for all optometrists and opticians. This will better ensure that the profession remains up-to-date with the best practices in the industry worldwide, and continue to provide quality eye-care services to the public.

Conclusion

13    Consumers must be able to trust optometrists with their visual and ocular well being. All optometrists have a duty to maintain a high standard of care, conduct and behaviour. I am confident that, as professionals, each and every one of you will continue to be conscientious and competent in your dealings with customers, and in being role models for your colleagues and future generations of optometrists. Professionalism is much more than the job you do; it is how you do your job.

14    This congress provides an opportunity for practictioners to share best practices. I believe that, through this congress, you will all be able to learn from one another, and be inspired to bring your profession to greater heights. I wish all of you a successful meeting and a pleasant stay in Singapore.

Thank You.