OPTO8008 Clinical Placements 2

This topic provides clinical experience in optometry across a variety of setting: 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. 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 50-200 patient encounters during this topic. Students will keep an electronic reflective diary detailing these encounters.

This topic builds on the fundamental optometry knowledge and clinical skills students have acquired earlier in the course and on the formative clinical experiences of the prior semester. Students will develop experience in conducting full patient examinations. This will provide learning opportunities in history taking, examination planning, diagnosis and developing management plans. Students will progress to being highly proficient in all components of the eye examination and competent in executing the whole patient examination. 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.

1. Construct and perform a comprehensive eye examination, which has been tailored to the needs of the specific patient and allows accurate diagnosis and management of the patient
2. Actively contribute to the discussion and analysis of clinical cases with reference to the relevant evidence base and challenging professional issues
3. Appraise the spectrum of eye and vision disorders, the clinical management and the evidence base that informs the management