OPTO8007 Clinical Placements 1

2015

13.5

2 x 4-hour lectures per semester
1 x 2-hour lecture-1 per semester
3 x 4-hour tutorials per semester
5 x 3-hour tutorial-1s per semester
9 x 4-hour practical-1s per semester
2 x 3.5-hour clinical placement-2s per semester
6 x 2.5-hour clinical placement-1s per semester
1 x 21-hour independent study weekly
1 x 1-hour exam (medicine only) per semester

1 Admission into BMSVMOPT-Bachelor of Medical Science (Vision Science), Master of Optometry
2 3 of OPTO8001, OPTO8002, OPTO8003
Must Satisfy: (1 and 2)

OPTO8004 - Optometry 1

The entirety of the Bachelor of Medical Science (Vision Science), but in particular:

OPTO3001 Knowledge of Health and Illness for Optometrists 1

OPTO3003 Clinical Skills 1

OPTO3004 Communication for the Consulting Room

The content of the following Master of Optometry topics:

OPTO8001 Knowledge of Health and Illness for Optometrists 2

OPTO8003 Clinical Skills 2

Student must enrol in OPTO8004 in the same semester

Examination (50%); Placement; Tests; Attendance at Intensives and Placements is compulsory.

This topic provides clinical experience in optometry across a variety of settings: university clinic, independent private practice, corporate practice, rural practice, contact lens specialty practice, children's vision specialty practice, low vision care, hospital ophthalmology clinic, private ophthalmology practice, indigenous health care, aged care, migrant health and elective placements. Students will undertake two 6-week clinical placements in different clinical settings. Prior to the first placement students undertake a pre-placement intensive in preparation for placement. During clinical placements students will undergo orientation, observe consultations, develop an understanding of care systems within this practice setting and progress to participating in, and conducting, eye examinations. Students should participate in or conduct 200-300 patient encounters during this topic. Students will keep an electronic reflective diary detailing these encounters. After each placement students return to the university for a debriefing week where they present a case and describe an important learning opportunity from their placement.

This topic builds on the fundamental optometry knowledge and clinical skills students have acquired in preceding semesters. This topic provides students with their formative clinical experiences. Students will develop experience in conducting full patient examinations. This will provide learning opportunities in history taking, examination planning, diagnosis and developing management plans. Learning opportunities will arise around patient presentations with different conditions or requiring different management. Students will develop the ability to present clinical case information to their peers and to discuss conflicting or challenging issues or situations. Students will also learn about processes and systems in clinical practice, optical dispensing and practice management. This topic will empower students to engage broadly in optometric practice, to manage the spectrum of eye and vision disorders and to engage in optometric practice.

At the completion of this topic, students would be expected to:

• Have demonstrable competence in all components of an eye examination

• Have demonstrable competence in conducting entire eye examinations

• Be able to present a case to peers

• Be able to discuss challenging professional issues with peers.
• Have an in depth understanding of the spectrum of eye and vision disorders presenting to optometric practice

• Have an in depth understanding of processes and systems used in optometry practice