Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

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

Rationale

Optometric practice allows appropriately trained optometrists to provide therapeutic pharmacological management of a range of eye diseases. It is important for optometrists to have a sound knowledge of prescription drugs used in the management of eye disease, be able to develop treatment plans, and assess the outcomes of their treatment.

Aims

This unit aims to integrate your knowledge of eye disease and ocular pharmaceutical agents to allow you to safely and effectively develop treatment plans for your patients in optometric practice.
The unit also aims to illustrate clinical pathways for use of ocular therapeutic agents, including selection of the most appropriate pharmaceutical, appropriate review periods, and decisions on referral.

Objectives

On the completion of this unit, you will be able to

1. formulate, evaluate and revise therapeutic treatment plans for the management of eye disease in accordance with clinical protocols and pathways
2. compare and contrast best practice management strategies for management of eye disease
3. demonstrate sound theoretical knowledge of the range and application of specific groups of therapeutic drugs
4. participate effectively within a team approach to health care management
Postgraduate capabilities addressed in this unit include:

• Advanced knowledge and understanding in a specialized field


• Professional knowledge and skills in a specialist area of practice


• Engagement in a new field of practice

Undergraduate capabilities reinforced through this unit include:

• knowledge and skills pertinent to therapeutic practice in optometry


• effective problem solving


• critical and analytical thinking


• capacity for lifelong learning


• effective communication skills


• ability to work collaboratively

Content

This unit addresses therapeutic treatment plans for diseases of the eye including blepharitis, conjunctivitis, keratitis, uveitis with a range of therapeutic drugs. You will also discuss therapeutic management of glaucoma of various aetiologies, and the pre- and post- operative management of ocular surgery cases such as cataract and refractive surgery. The co-management of eye disease with other health care professionals will be discussed.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit will be taught through an initial lecture series focusing on the current clinical pathways and protocols and practical issues surrounding the prescription of ocular therapeutics. Case analysis and management plans will then be developed by the students and presented to the class for discussion and debate of therapeutic management issues.

Assessment

There are 2 Summative assessment elements in this unit:

Formative assessment
Your progress in developing appropriate knowledge and skills in the therapeutic eye disease will be informed through participation in class discussion and debate as feedback on your and other students case management proposals, and by review activities within lectures and tutorials.

Assessment name: Assignment
Description: Written Case based treatment plans for ocular disease, discussing and analyzing differential diagnosis and management plans

Weight: 40%: 2 x 20% each
Relates to objectives: 1,2,3 and 4
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of semester

Assessment name: Examination (written)
Description: This will include assessment of knowledge and understanding of treatment protocols for eye disease, and of the various classes of ocular therapeutic drugs
Relates to objectives: 1,2 and 3
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of semester

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

Authors: Roy, Fraunfelder, Fraunfelder
Title:Current Ocular Therapy 6th Ed
Publisher: Saunders New York
Year: 2008

Print and electronic copies of optometry, ophthalmology and medical periodicals.

Clinical pathway protocols: Optometrists Registration Board

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with 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: 15-Nov-2012