Specialist Certificate in the Management of Low Vision Patients

The Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences has been reviewing the training needs of professional optometrists and the historical engagement of students in postgraduate training programs. This review has led to the closure of a number of existing programs and the introduction of the proposed Master of Clinical Optometry (MClinOptom) and six Specialist Certificates.

All registered Australian and New Zealand Optometrists are required under new legislation (2011) to complete 40 points of continuing professional development (CPD) each year, of this 20 points are required to be in the therapeutics area.

The proposed Master of Clinical Optometry course and its sub-specialisations provide the opportunity for optometrists to gain the required continuing professional development points, depending on the core clinical topics selected. If they choose, the nested and integrated nature of the program will also enable them to have a pathway to a Master of Clinical Optometry.

This proposal is for a new a new postgraduate coursework program called the Specialist Certificate in the Management of Management of Low Vision Patients offered by the Department of Optometry & Vision Sciences in the Faculty of Science.

Topics covered within this course include the epidemiology and geographic distribution of blindness; the roles and methods within the rehabilitative team for the support and rehabilitation of the visually disabled; the procedures for comprehensive assessment of rehabilitation of the visually disabled; the procedures for comprehensive assessment of visual disability and the management of patients with partial sight; and the principles and performance of optical, non-optical and technological aids for the enhancement of low vision. Emphasis is on clinical set-up, application and support of patients with low vision.

The Specialist Certificate is achieved through successful completion of one compulsory 25 point subject, Management of Low Vision Patients. This subject was previously called Clinical Management of Low Vision (OPTO90007). The only changes to this previously approved subject are:

• A subject name change; and
• An increase in the study commitment time to align to current practice for 25 point subjects.

It is expected that the courses will be of particular interest to large optometry chains, including OPSM, meeting the mandated CPD requirement and providing clinical benefits to their practices.

The rationale for allowing Optometrists to have access to Specialist Certificates is to allow them to use these Certificates to demonstrate the specific areas of Optometry in which they have undertaken advanced studies.

This course will be administered on behalf of the Department of Optometry & Vision Sciences in the Faculty of Science by the School of Melbourne Custom Programs.

On completion of this course the students should have:

• advanced knowledge and skills in their selected fields of clinical optometry;
• a detailed knowledge in the use and application of specific advanced diagnostic techniques and/or instrumentation;
• an advanced ability to evaluate and synthesize research from the scientific and clinical literature;
• an appreciation of the value of, and the ability to achieve, collaboration with other healthcare professionals as an effective means to aid clinical problem-solving;
• the capacity to interpret and integrate information from a variety of sources (such as patient presentation details, advanced diagnostic techniques, scientific, clinical and technical literature, and other healthcare professionals), in the development of the most appropriate patient management;
• the ability and initiative to offer enhanced clinical services based on their in-depth study in selected fields of clinical optometry;
• have advanced their clinical skills and developed a flexibility of outlook such that they are better able to respond to future paradigm shifts in the scope of optometric management.

Subject Level - 9

Subject Title - Management of Low Vision Patients

(formerly OPTO90007 Clinical Management of Low Vision)

Points - 25

Compulsory

A 4-year Australian degree in Optometry, or equivalent. Professional experience may be taken into account to determine equivalency.

The Specialist Certificate in the Management of Low Vision Patients welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and degree policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the degree.

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Overview, Objectives and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this course are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

On completion of this course the students should have:

• critical thinking, analytical and problem solving skills
• the ability to integrate theory and practice and to apply this in complex situations
• an openness to new ideas
• planning and time management skills
• the ability to communicate complex clinical cases in both oral and written form