Orbis, an international non-profit working for the prevention and treatment of avoidable blindness, launched Competency Based Assessment (CBA) Rubrics on Patient Communication on 12 October 2023 on the occasion of World Sight Day. The event was organized by VISION 2020 – The Right to Sight India at KLSM Rotary Eye & ENT Hospital Udhampur, J&K. This strategic move addresses a long-awaited requirement for a benchmark in the field of training and human resource development in patient counseling. This is important as it directly affects the quality of services provided to a patient.
The event was graced by Saloni Rai, Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur & Chairman of District Blindness Control Society, Udhampur as the Chief Guest and Dr. Mrityunjay Gupta, Principal, Govt. Medical College, Udhampur, as the Guest of Honor. In addition, the launch was attended by distinguished dignitaries including Joginder Singh Jasrotia, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Jammu; Mohd. Anwar Ul Haq, Additional Superintendent of Police, Udhampur; Dr. Rajesh Saini, President, VISION 2020, India and CEO, Siliguri Greater Lions Eye Hospital; Dr. Praveen Vashisht, Secretary, VISION 2020 & Officer In-charge, Community Ophthalmology, RP Centre AIIMS, Delhi; Dr. Rishi Raj Borah, Country Director - India, Orbis; Rotarian D.N. Sharma, Chairman, The Udhampur Rotary Eye & ENT Hospital; and Rotarian Col. Hargovind Singh, President Rotary Club, Udhampur.
Patient communication is an important aspect of healthcare facilities aimed at establishing patient-centered care and at the center of effective service planning stands a patient counselor. Understanding and addressing patients’ concerns and guiding them throughout the treatment are an essential component of providing care. The CBA rubrics is aimed at helping the hospitals to assess the competency of the counselors, help them identify training needs, and guide them with recruitment and professional development.
