OPTO8009 Clinical Placements 3

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 200-300 patient encounters during this topic. Students will keep an electronic reflective diary detailing these encounters.

This topic builds on the clinical experiences of the two preceding semesters. Students will develop high level proficiency 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 executing the whole patient examination. Learning opportunities will arise around patient presentations with different conditions or requiring different management. Students will develop the high level proficiency in presenting clinical case information to their peers and to discussing 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. Demonstrate high level proficiency in conducting entire eye examinations
2. Demonstrate high level proficiency in presenting a case to peers
3. Demonstrate high level proficiency in discussing challenging professional issues with peers
4. Demonstrate in depth understanding of the spectrum of eye and vision disorders presenting to optometric practice
5. Demonstrate in depth understanding of processes and systems used in optometry practice