Clinical Optometry Practice

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Estimated Total Time Commitment - 1560 hours over two 16 week semesters

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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 continue to integrate their knowledge of clinical vision sciences into an understanding of the diagnosis and management of ocular disease and will refine their advanced clinical diagnostic skills. They will complete study in the specialist areas of advanced contact lenses, paediatric optometry and low vision.

Students will participate in a professional practice stream of lectures which will address government and professional bodies, business skills, visual standards, communication and ethical considerations in optometry.

Throughout this subject, students will be required to demonstrate a high standard in clinical techniques and their capacity to apply these methods in the examination and management of patients in various clinical settings. Additionally, students will work in small groups and as individuals, both face-to-face and on-line, to explore the evidence-based management of clinical cases.

On completion of this subject students should:

• have developed a strong understanding of the mechanisms and associated manifestations of ocular and visual system disease at a level that allows them to construct appropriate differential diagnoses, and arrive at a definitive diagnoses and an appropriate management plan;
• have interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal, that allow them to establish and maintain professional relationships with their patients, professional colleagues and the general public;
• have a sense of intellectual curiosity and a desire for lifelong learning, with the ability to adapt to scientific, technological and social change, and a capacity to be creative and innovative;
• be able to demonstrate their use of evidence-based clinical practice;
• have a strongly developed sense of professional and ethical responsibility for patients, colleagues and the community generally, and be aware of the moral and legal responsibilities of professional practice;
• have an expert knowledge of best practice management strategies to enable the safe and effective use of ocular therapeutic drugs;
• have developed skills in advanced contact lens management and advanced paediatric management, as well as in the management of patients that present with low vision and neurological conditions; and
• have demonstrated that they can competently perform clinical examinations on a range of patients.

• Two 2-hour written examinations in semester 1 examination period (40%)
• Two 2-hour written examinations in semester 2 examination period (40%)
• Clinical performance throughout the year (20%)

Hurdle requirements:

• Satisfactory performance in competency assessments, typically stream-specific written examinations, clinical proficiency examinations and oral/written case reports (throughout year)
• 100% attendance at preclinical duties and clinical placements
• Satisfactory performance at clinical placements

A reading list will be provided

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

Duckman, R.H. (2006) Visual Development, Diagnosis, and Treatment of the Pediatric Patient. Pub. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Jackson J & Wolffsohn J (Eds) (2006). Low Vision Manual. 1st Edition. Pub. Butterworth-Heinemann.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject students should:

• be able to plan strategies for improving the management of information in the workplace;
• be able to work with colleagues to develop best practice in the delivery of eye care;
• be able to incorporate evidence based information into your clinical practice;
• be able to evaluate scientific literature as a foundation to evidence based practice;
• be able to apply critical thinking and problem solving skills to new problems;
• be able to reflect upon and identify deficiencies in your knowledge, and develop strategies to address those deficiencies;
• be able to independently advance your professional expertise and knowledge in optometry; and
• be able to work as part of a team to address a common goal.