Applied Clinical Training

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Estimated total time commitment - 720 hours

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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 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 disease, clinical neuroscience, binocular vision and paediatrics, along with pharmacology and microbiology/immunology, will be integrated with and applied to clinical practice through studying the diagnosis and management of ocular disease. To complement this, students will learn the theory of advanced clinical diagnostic tests and corrective devices, such as contact lenses and spectacle 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 through consolidation of their clinical routine and the practice of advanced clinical techniques, and then through application of these skills in the examination and management of patients in a clinical setting. Integration will also occur through the exploration of case studies that link key topics of basic sciences and clinical practice. 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 clinical examination skills to assess the suitability of patients for contact lens wear and to assess the fit and effect of soft contact lenses on the eye;
• developed the clinical skills to advise patients regarding their most appropriate refractive correction modality, to determine the lens and frame properties of patients’ prescriptions and to check their compliance with the Australian Standards;
• developed an understanding of the key indicators of normal child development and understand the differences and specific needs of children and apply this knowledge to successfully interact with children and their parents;
• developed an ability to identify and classify major conditions relevant to paediatric patients and be able to understand how they are managed;
• 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.

• Two 2-hour written examination (semester 1 examination period): 40%

• Two 2-hour written examination (semester 2 examination period): 40%

• Two 40-minute group seminar presentations (throughout year): 10%

• Clinical performance (throughout year): 10%

Hurdle requirements:

1. Satisfactory performance in competency assessments, typically stream-specific written examinations and clinical proficiency examinations (throughout year)
2. 100% attendance at preclinical duties and clinical placements

A reading list will be provided.

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.