Management of Paediatric Patients

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

340 hours.

Expected level of knowledge is that of a 4-year Optometry qualification.

To enrol in this subject, you must be admitted in the Master of Clinical Optometry or Specialist Certificate in the Management of Paediatric Patients. This subject is not available for students admitted in any other courses.

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 subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Objectives, Assessment 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 the Student Equity and Disability Support Team: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject covers central issues within the field of paediatric optometry, with the aim of developing each student’s capacity for effective management of the paediatric patient, including co-management with other professionals involved in paediatric care.

A range of areas will be covered, encompassing the developmental, visual and educational issues relevant to paediatric optometry. Specific areas covered will include disorders such as amblyopia, strabismus, ametropia, accommodative- vergence dysfunction and visual processing disorders.

Childhood development and how this affects our evaluation of vision and its impact on learning is covered. The ocular and visual challenges seen in common childhood syndromes such as Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy will be investigated, including associated ocular diseases relevant to other special needs paediatric populations.

On completion of the subject enrolled optometrists should:

• have a more detailed knowledge of the principal theories of childhood development, normal learning processes and visual development.
• have a greater capacity to critically appraise literature relating to paediatric eye care.
• have an effective process for taking a thorough paediatric history that encompasses the relevant developmental, visual, medical and educational issues.
• have advanced their clinical skills and developed effective assessment approaches for children based on age and cognitive ability.
• have an ability to analyse the various models of the accommodative-vergence system and of refractive disorders and apply these models to the assessment and management of these disorders using an evidence-based approach.
• have a greater working knowledge of aetiology, clinical presentation and management of strabismus, amblyopia and commonly presenting incomitancies.
• have a greater working knowledge of the epidemiology of childhood eye conditions and the impact they may have on childhood development.
• have a greater understanding of disorders of visual processing, the means of their assessment and the multi-disciplinary nature of their management.
• have a greater capacity for highly evolved communication with both children and their families in the overall care of the paediatric patient.
• have an ability to modify and improve practice based on dialogue, self-reflection and life-long learning.

• Critical Appraisal of Literature, 2,000 words, due Week 4 of semester (15%)
• Case Report + Peer review, 2,500 words, due mid semester (30%)
• Case Report + Peer review, 2,500 words, due end semester (30%)
• Portfolio (a collection of relevant and useful tasks, assignments, and reflections undertaken during the subject, or students’ own clinical experience to summarise the learning experience and outcomes), equivalent to 2000 words, due end of exam period (15%)
• Ongoing online contribution (based on the quantity and quality of online contributions, and the level of interaction) (10%)

Hurdle Requirement: satisfactory completion of the portfolio and online contribution tasks.

Enrolled optometrists will be directed to research articles, review chapters and articles and case studies, both published and online.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject the student should:

• have improved capacity to evaluate and synthesise a range of professional and scientific literature associated with the knowledge and skills in the area being studied;
• be able to articulate knowledge and understanding in a written presentation;
• have developed an understanding of the value of advanced knowledge and improved technology to both a professional and wider community;
• have an appreciation of the design, conduct, analysis and reporting of research;
• have developed a high level of analytic and problem solving skill;
• have developed a flexibility of approach to enable better response to a background of rapidly changing information;
• have confidence to broaden scope of knowledge by consulting professional and scientific literature from fields that overlap and enhance professional practice;
• have the confidence to call upon peers to discuss and confer when needed;
• have developed capacity to manage competing demands on time and enhanced capacity for self-directed work;
• have and understanding of the area being studied in an international context.