OPTO8006 Optometry 3

This topic's two main areas of focus is that of ocular therapeutics and practice management. At this point in the student's training they should have had significant exposure to therapeutic interventions and be able to demonstrate a solid understanding of this topic. As such the ocular therapeutics intensive is considered the master class of the student's clinical training. Students should feel empowered to confidently treat ocular conditions in a multi-disciplinary setting at this stage of training.

All areas of practice management will be covered including retail operations, marketing, human resource management and financial management.

This topic reinforces the student's optometry knowledge and skills students have acquired in preceding semesters, with a particular focus on ocular therapeutic interventions. A student's aptitude for therapeutic prescribing will be assessed by a viva panel and by submission of five case studies of patients they have attended to during their training. Research efforts over the previous three semesters will culminate in the submission of a research manuscript and each research group performing a research seminar to the Flinders University research community.

1. Evaluate the role optometry plays in shared care arrangements, in the context of therapeutic management of patients with ocular pathology
2. Communicate clinical findings in both verbal and written formats with other healthcare professionals
3. Compose clinical case studies to the standard required for publishing in peer reviewed journals
4. Compose a scientific research manuscript of sufficient quality for publication in a peer reviewed scientific journal
5. Construct a business plan for an optometry practice which analyses cash flow, profit and loss and how this affects a small business, evaluates human resource management including recruitment, performance management and setting goals
6. Appraise the clinical decision making to create a comprehensive management plan that includes pharmacological and/or non-pharmacological inventions in the ophthalmic care of a patient