Guide to Stage One evidence
Assessors use a range of evidence to assess each competency. You will need to provide at least two types of evidence per competency. You can find the evidence types you will need for each competency in our assessment framework downloads.
Below is an explanation of the evidence types needed in Stage One:
| Evidence type | Abbreviation | Explanation |
| Direct observation | DO | Your assessor observes you face-to-face in practice performing a skill on a patient or a simulated patient. |
| Patient record | PR | You provide a patient record from your practice. This happens face-to-face. The record is used as the basis for discussion. |
| Anonymous patient record | APR | You present an anonymised record to your assessor during a remote visit. This would have the patient’s name and other personal details anonymised. Before the assessment, your supervisor must sign a statement saying that the records have been checked and fully anonymised, identified only by patient number. During visit three, your assessor will ask to check a sample of your anonymous patient records. |
| Case scenario | CS | Your assessor gives you a hypothetical case scenario. This forms the basis for discussion. |
| Trainee led case discussion | TCD | You present a real case verbally to your assessor, and then have a case discussion based on the record. You do not need to present the record to your assessor, but some records may be sampled at visit three/four. Your assessor will be looking for evidence of your thought process and actions (e.g. in investigation of symptoms, management planning and some dispensing elements). |
| Questioning | Q | A series of structured questions. |
| Role play | RP | A role-play of a clinical scenario, with your assessor taking the role of the patient. |
| Field plot | FP | A field plot to interpret and discuss. |
| Images | I | Images for you to interpret and discuss. |
| Referral letter | RL | You will present a referral letter you have written for discussion. |
| Prescription interpretation | PI | A prescription to interpret and discuss. |
| Witness testimony | WT | Your supervisor or other suitably qualified eye care professional observes you interacting with a patient or performing clinical skill. The witness signs a testimony detailing the episode and confirming it was performed competently. |
| Log | Log | You present your logbook containing your patient encounters or information you have gathered on local services relating to low vision. |
| Log of local low vision service | Log | You provide a list to show availability, including location and/or contact details of low vision services in your area, that could provide help and support to a patient with visual impairment. |
| Reflective account | RA | You provide a written description of an experience and your actions. |