OPTO8007 Clinical Placements 1

This topic transitions students to the clinical setting by building on and advancing the core skills and theory required for Optometry practice. Workshops, clinical case studies, practicals, tutorials, simulation and clinical placement at the university based clinic will collectively develop and integrate knowledge and clinical and critical reasoning skills to construct customised patient examinations and management in an evidence based, professional, ethical and culturally safe manner across general, therapeutic, contact lens, paediatric and binocular vision, occupational, aged care, low vision, dispensing and interprofessional practice. Clinical placement will involve observation, directed self and peer review, independent and peer-supported planning and execution of patient examinations and management, simulation and practice administration and dispensing. Students will also participate in peer mentoring of same year and junior peers to support the development of clinical skills including communication, consultation planning and prioritising of clinical tests, documentation and interpretation of clinical findings and clinical decision making. Students will keep an electronic portfolio detailing and reflecting on these learning opportunities and guiding and monitoring progress and development of competencies.

This topic builds on the fundamental optometry knowledge and clinical skills students have acquired in preceding semesters. This topic provides students with their formative clinical experiences. Students will develop experience in conducting full patient examinations. This will provide learning opportunities in history taking, examination planning, diagnosis and developing management plans. 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. Demonstrate competence in all components of an eye examination
2. Demonstrate competence in conducting entire eye examinations
3. Present a case to peers
4. Discuss challenging professional issues with peers
5. Self and peer review the performance of clinical skills and eye examinations
6. Distinguish between the presentations and underlying mechanisms of eye and vision disorders in optometric practice and compose appropriate management plans