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

Most optometry graduates aspire to enter private practice, either as an employee or associate of another practitioner or firm of optometrists. In the latter case, they are frequently required to manage the practice. They must therefore be prepared in the areas of business, finance and practice management as they relate to optometry. The practice of Optometry is also regulated by several State and Federal Acts of Parliament and optometrists have moral and ethical responsibilities to their patients.

Aims

To provide students with the skills necessary for the transition from being a student to professional practice, by giving an understanding of the broad issues governing practice management, their responsibilities to their patients and the broader community through:

• introducing the legal environment in which a business operates


• providing detailed knowledge of legislation governing the practice of optometry


• providing an understanding of the broad issues governing practice management


• informing students of their ethical responsibilities to their patients

Objectives

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

1. identify and discuss legislation impacting on the practice of optometry

2. judge the ethical and legal implications of your actions

3. demonstrate knowledge sufficient to successfully manage an optometric practice.

4. demonstrate an understanding of professionalism and discuss the roles played by optometric professional associations and other relevant organisations.

5. evaluate the role of the optometrist as a health professional in the wider community.

Postgraduate capabilities addressed in this unit include:

• Advanced knowledge and understanding in a specialist area


• Professional knowledge and skills in legal, ethical and business aspects of professional practice


Undergraduate capabilities reinforced in this unit include:

• knowledge and skills pertinent to the practice of optometry.


• critical, creative and analytical thinking, and effective problem-solving.


• effective communication skills with patients and other health professionals.


• the capacity for life-long learning.


• the ability to work independently and collaboratively.


• social and ethical responsibility


• characteristics of self-reliance and leadership

Content

This unit addresses professional ethics and codes of practice, the State and Federal legislation governing the practice of Optometry, and elements of Business Law as they pertain to optometric practice: principles of contract law, defining a contract, concepts of informed consent, negligence, tort, contract, employment laws; legislative requirements for businesses (town planning, approvals, taxation issues, sole traders, partnerships, companies).

You will also discuss business related aspects of practice: types of practice, commencing, building and managing an optometric practice; evaluation of the local environment when establishing a practice; business plans and forecasting, understanding financial statements, profit and loss, key indicators of business success. Practice systems will also be discussed: databases, record keeping, referrals, recalls, privacy and health information privacy, data protection, stock and stock control, loss prevention.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit will be comprised of lectures, seminars and tutorials by academic staff and invited part-time staff who are expert in various aspects of the syllabus. Seminars and tutorials will be informed by real world examples of the issues under discussion

Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Your learning development will be supported by case based examples, review questions and discussions during lectures, seminars and tutorials. Feedback will be provided with respect to assignment in its planning stages.

Assessment name: Assignment
Description: A written assignment, to be presented in two parts, early and mid semester. This will encompass development of a practice plan for the establishment of an optometric practice. You will be required to evaluate a location, formulate a business proposal, and plan a practice layout.
Relates to objectives: 1 and 3
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Early/mid semester

Assessment name: Examination
Description: This will concentrate on the knowledge and applications of professionalism and ethics, and the legal and business environment of practice, including case scenario questions
Relates to objectives: 1,2,3,4 and 5
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of semester

Academic Honesty

Academic honesty means that you are expected to exhibit honesty and act responsibly when undertaking assessment. Any action or practice on your part which would defeat the purposes of assessment is regarded as academic dishonesty. The penalties for academic dishonesty are provided in the Student Rules. For more information you should consult the QUT Library resources for avoiding plagiarism.

Resource materials

TBA

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: 07-Oct-2011