As healthcare professionals, we hold one duty to be sacred. This is the duty of candour. But what does this phrase actually mean? It is not just a buzzword. It is the absolute core of our patient-practitioner relationship and is the foundation of trust. I have written this guide to explain exactly what the duty of candour is. We will explore why this professional duty of candour is so important. We will also look at how you can embed it in your daily practice.

What is the Duty of Candour?

At its simplest, the duty of candour is our professional and ethical obligation to be honest with patients when things go wrong. It is about transparency. We must be forthcoming about mistakes. Above all, we must ensure our patients are fully informed about what happened.

The General Optical Council (GOC) holds this duty as a core part of its standards. Their stance on the duty of candour is clear. Their guidance is essential reading for all of us. This is not about just avoiding trouble. It is about fostering a culture of openness. This culture protects our patients and, just as importantly, helps us learn from our errors.

Why the Duty of Candour is Not ‘Just a Rule’

It is easy to dismiss the duty of candour. You might think it is just ‘another rule’ from the GOC. Or you may think it is just basic human decency. You are not wrong on either count, but it is so much more than that. I believe it is the cornerstone of our professional integrity.

Upholding the duty of candour builds deep, lasting patient trust. Honest communication during an error shows the patient you prioritise their well-being over your own pride. This openness is key. Furthermore, it also builds a better, more ethical profession. It creates a culture where we all feel safe to be accountable. This helps everyone learn from mistakes. Finally, it aligns with our professional standards. We are all human. We all make mistakes. How you handle those mistakes is what defines you as a professional.

The Duty of Candour in Your Clinic

Understanding the theory is one thing. Applying the duty of candour in a busy clinic is another. Let’s look at real-world examples.

Case 1: The Wrong Rx:
You realise you issued an incorrect prescription after the patient has left. You must not try to cover it up. The correct action is to call the patient. You must explain the error, apologise, and arrange an immediate correction. This is the duty of candour in action.

Case 2: A Corneal Abrasion:
You cause an epithelial abrasion during tonometry. Therefore, you must inform the patient. You must explain what happened, what it means (e.g., temporary discomfort), and how you will manage it.

Case 3: A Dispensing Error:
A dispensing optician uses the wrong PD. They must call the patient, apologise for the delay, and explain that the glasses are being remade correctly.

These honest conversations are difficult. But, they are an essential part of our job.

Practical Tips for Upholding Your Duty

So, how can you integrate this into your daily work? Here are my key tips.

Communicate Openly: Of course, this is the first and most important step. Strive for honesty in every patient interaction, not just when an error occurs. Make it your default setting.

Document Everything: Your records are your most important tool. You must document all incidents and discussions. Write down the facts, the actions you took, and the conversations you had. Clear, contemporary records are vital if a complaint ever arises. In fact, your professional duty of candour requires this.

Use the GOC Resource: The GOC provides excellent guidance on the duty of candour. I strongly urge every optometrist and dispensing optician to read it. It is our playbook for building a profession based on integrity and trust.

Conclusion: Honesty is Our Best Practice

The duty of candour is not a burden. It is our moral compass in action. It is a framework for being a good, trustworthy healthcare professional. The key takeaways are simple: always be honest. Be transparent with your patients and your colleagues. Maintain your integrity, even when it is hard. By doing this, we not only serve our patients well but also advocate for the entire profession.

If you found this article useful, please explore my collection of other articles aimed at early career optometrists here. I work mainly on word of mouth and recommendations, so please also consider sharing this article within your social media networks.