Reflective exercise

Registrants need to carry out and document a reflective exercise towards the end of the CPD cycle. This is where registrants reflect on their professional development during the cycle through a discussion with a peer. 

The reflective exercise allows registrants to gain insights about their practice to improve the way they work and/or the care they give to their patients, as well as to prepare in advance for the next CPD cycle.

It is part of the continuous learning and development expected of registrants as a professional throughout their career. 

When should the reflective exercise be carried out?  

The reflective exercise should be carried out towards the end of the cycle once all or most CPD requirements have been met. This will also allow registrants to have a more meaningful discussion about progress against their personal development plan (PDP) and learning requirements. 

What should the reflective exercise consist of?  

Together with a peer, registrants will discuss reflections on their progress against their PDP and CPD requirements, and reflect on their professional practice more generally over the course of a cycle. Registrants should also think about what other CPD activities they need to carry out for the remainder of the cycle (if any) and plan ahead for the next cycle.  

If a registrant has carried out different CPD to what is set out in their PDP that is fine, so long as all requirements have been met and the reflective exercise sets out clearly why different learning has been undertaken to that originally planned. 

The discussion can take place either in person, via video call or telephone. The discussion must be logged and documented on MyCPD.    

Who counts as a peer?  

There are a number of options for peers:  

• another optometrist or dispensing optician 
• a registrant’s employer 
• another healthcare professional regulated by a statutory body (such as an ophthalmologist, orthoptist, nurse, physiotherapist, pharmacist etc). 

A relative, close friend or an employee would not be considered a peer. 

How do registrants log and document their reflective exercise?  

Registrants will need to complete and submit an online form on MyCPD (which can be accessed via MyGOC) documenting the discussion that took place. As of July 2024, this form is available on MyCPD.  

We have published a reflective exercise guidance template which mirrors the form that appears on MyCPD and supports registrants with having their discussions offline. Please note however, the template cannot by uploaded to MyCPD and the online form embedded in MyCPD must be completed.

The reflective exercise should be completed and submitted on MyCPD by the end of the cycle (for the 2022-24 cycle, this is 31 December 2024).   

The GOC will randomly review a selection of written reflections to ensure compliance.