Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

This unit begins clinical optometric practice in the primary care area within the Optometry Clinic of the Faculty of Health Clinics. Through clinical practice, students will develop specific problem solving strategies in clinical practice, and develop problem specific examination techniques, reinforcing and refining clinical skills developed in the previous units. This unit begins the transfer of theoretical and practical skills to the clinical situation, providing the early basis for transition to professional practice.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to develop clinical experience in optometric practice in a clinical primary health care setting.

Objectives

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:
1. design under supervision eye examination strategies and implement them in a technically competent manner in optometric practice,
2. plan and implement treatment and management plans with support from your supervisors for patients under your care
3. differentially diagnose visual disorders
4. give advice to patients in a caring and ethical manner,
5. communicate efficiently with other health care professionals

Postgraduate capabilities addressed in this unit include:

• Professional knowledge and skills in clinical practice


Undergraduate capabilities reinforced in this unit include:



• knowledge and practical skills pertinent to the practice of optometry

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• effective communication skills


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• ability to work independently and collaboratively


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• social and ethical responsibility


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• effective problem-solving skills in applied clinical contexts

Content

This unit encompasses patient care in primary care optometry, including clinical problem solving and clinical decision making; the differential diagnosis of vision disorders; the development of management and treatment plans in vision disorders; spectacle and lens dispensing; case management; intra- and inter-professional communication and referral; and communication with patients

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Clinical practice in the primary care clinic under supervision of qualified and registered optometrists. Clinical practice will be supported by tutorials with emphasis placed on case management and problem solving, differential diagnoses, with reference to current and developing clinical management strategies.

Skills and knowledge provided in this unit are in accordance with the Optometrists Association Australia Universal entry-level competency standards for Optometry (2008) in the competency standards 1. Professional Responsibilities, 2. Patient History, 3. Patient Examination, 4. Diagnosis, 5. Patient management and 6. Recording of Clinical Data and the appropriate competency elements within these standards. (reference: Kiely PM. Optometrists Association Australia universal (entry-level) and therapeutic competency standards for Optometry 2008. Clinical and Experimental Optometry 2009; 92(4): 362-5, 366-86.)

Assessment

Summative assessment in this unit includesPatient encounters are assessed in a formative way to provide feedback regarding development of clinical skills, and in a summative way toward the end of the unit. Clinical skills competency assessments and summative assessment of patient consultations must each be passed to complete the unit, and repeat (supplementary) assessment will be undertaken until the required competency is demonstrated. Skills competency assessment and assessment of patient consultations may include an oral examination component.

Assessment name: Placement Performance
Description: Clinical skills competency assessments
Description: Individual core clinical skills will be examined, assessing technical ability and the ability to communicate instructions in a patient care setting.
Relates to objectives: 1 and 5
Weight: 25%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Continuous

Assessment name: Placement Performance
Description: Assessment of patient encounters
Description: A number of patient encounters will be assessed throughout the semester, concentrating on your ability to solve clinical problems through a problem oriented clinical routine, and the ability to communicate effectively with a patient. Clinical management skills are assessed as a lesser component as this is the first clinical practice unit encountered.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Continuous

Assessment name: Case Study
Description: Case reports and case presentations:
You will be required to present both written and oral case presentations of patient encounters, with critical analysis of your investigation and management of the patient.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2 and 3
Weight: 25%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Continuous

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Nil

Risk assessment statement

This unit will involve practice of clinical techniques on fellow students and on people from the general public who present as patients to the QUT Optometry Clinic. High standards of hygiene and safe practices are required. You are required to be proficient in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first-aid. You will be informed of relevant Standard Operating Procedures of the School of Optometry as they pertain to this unit.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 16-Oct-2012