Applied Clinical Training

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements for this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Note: This subject is only available to students enrolled in the Doctor of Optometry.

Students of this subject will develop, and then apply, an advanced knowledge of the clinical vision sciences, as relevant to the full scope of evidence-based practice in optometry. Study of ocular and neurological disease processes, along with their pharmacology and microbiology, will be integrated with clinical practice through application of this acquired knowledge in studying the diagnosis and management of ocular disease. To complement this, students will learn the theory of the advanced clinical diagnostic tests and corrective devices, such as contact lenses, thus equipping them to both investigate and manage a patient in clinical practice. Throughout this subject, students will constantly be required to integrate their learning, firstly though consolidation of their clinical routine and the practise of advanced clinical techniques, and then through application of these skills in the examination and management of patients in a clinical setting. Additionally, students will work, both on-line and face-to-face, in small groups to explore the scientific and clinical interface of clinical cases.

On completion of this subject students should have:

developed an understanding of the mechanisms and associated manifestations of ocular and visual system disease at a level that allows students to construct appropriate differential diagnoses, and arrive at definitive diagnoses;
developed a knowledge of microbiologic principles, mechanisms and side-effects of drug action, and best practice therapeutic management strategies to enable the safe and effective use of ocular therapeutic drugs;
fostered competency in clinical ocular examination using current best-practice methods, enabling students to fully assess and the health and visual performance of their patient;
developed the ability to identify, key links between the basic sciences and clinical practice and begun to appreciate the importance of these links; and
continued their development of the skills and knowledge necessary for the practise of optometry.

A 3-hour written examination, held in the Semester 1 examination period, representing 35% of the final mark for this subject.

A 3-hour written examination, held in the Semester 2 examination period, representing 45% of the final mark for this subject.

Assessment of clinical work during Semester 2, representing 20% of the final mark for this subject.

Two 1-hour written assessments, held in the middle of Semester 1; and two 2-hour written examinations, held in the Semester 1 examination period. The end-of-semester assessments are hurdle requirements. Students may be given the opportunity to retake failed components of assessment during semester.

Six 30-minute MCQ slide exams held during semester 1, each of which is a hurdle. Students will have the opportunity to resit these exams to demonstrate their competency.

Six 30-minute MCQ slide exams held during semester 2, each of which is a hurdle. Students will have the opportunity to resit these exams to demonstrate their competency.

Two 1-hour clinical/practical station exams held during semester 2. Students will have the opportunity to resit these exams to demonstrate their competency.

As per the prescribed texts for the subjects: Preclinical Optometry; plus:

Rapuano C.J. (Ed) (2003) Color Atlas & Synopsis of Clinical Ophthalmology (Wills Eye Series). Pub. McGraw Hill Professional
Ehlers J.P., Shah C.P., Fenton G.L., Hoskins E.N. & Shelsta H.N. (Eds) (2008) The Wills Eye Manual: Office and Emergency Room Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Disease. 5th Edition. Pub. Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins.
Australian Medicines Handbook (latest Ed). Pub. Australian Medicines Handbook. (hardcopy or electronic edition)
Phillips A.J. & Speedwell L (2006) Contact Lenses. 5th Edition. Pub. Butterworth-Heinemann

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject students should:

be able to evaluate scientific literature as a foundation to evidence based practice;
be able to develop new concepts of how to manage clinical problems based on new knowledge obtained;
be able to integrate knowledge from different domains and articulate knowledge and understanding in written and oral forms;
value the collection and recording of accurate and complete data;
be able to teach and learn from their peers, and to reflect upon and evaluate the benefits of their learning activities; and
be able to work with colleagues to develop the common goal of best practice in the delivery of eye care.