OPN362 Specialist Clinic 1

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Unit code:	OPN362
Prerequisite(s):	OPN261 and OPN262 and OPN263
Corequisite(s):	OPN365
Credit points:	12
Timetable	Details in HiQ, if available
Availabilities	Kelvin Grove Semester 1 More about teaching periods More about unit attendance modes
CSP student contribution	$1,164
Domestic tuition unit fee	$3,432
International unit fee	$4,620

This unit introduces you the clinical practice of specialist optometric areas of binocular vision and paediatric practice, contact lens practice, colour vision assessment, myopia management, and low vision rehabilitation. Through supervised clinical practice, you will develop and refine your clinical knowledge and problem-solving strategies in these specialty areas of optometric practice, and develop problem specific examination techniques, reinforcing and refining clinical skills and clinical thinking developed in the previous units in these areas.

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2025, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Unit code:	OPN362
Credit points:	12
Pre-requisite:	OPN261 and OPN262 and OPN263
Co-requisite:	OPN365
Coordinator:	Alex Black \| aa.black@qut.edu.au

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

Overview

This is a designated unit which is essential to your course progression. Designated units include professional experience units, units requiring the development of particular skills, and units requiring demonstration of certain personal qualities. If you fail to achieve a satisfactory level of performance in a designated unit, you may be excluded from enrolment or will be put on academic probation. If you fail a designated unit twice within your course, you may be excluded. Supplementary assessment is not available on designated units.

Learning Outcomes

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

Design and implement problem-specific eye examinations in a technically competent manner in areas of specialist optometric practice;
Apply knowledge gained in the areas of contact lens fitting and consultation techniques, paediatric optometry (including colour vision and myopia management), binocular vision anomalies, and the rehabilitation of patients with low vision;
Formulate, review, and revise treatment and management plans for patients in specialised areas of practice;
Differentially diagnose binocular vision and colour vision anomalies, contact lens related problems, and ocular pathologies related to low vision;
Apply effective written and oral communication skills, in a caring, culturally safe and ethical manner, when interacting with patients and health professionals.

Content

Throughout the clinic units in final year, increasing responsibility is placed on students to develop their independent clinical decision making skills and formulate appropriate management of patients presenting for eye care in practice.

Patient care: contact lens practice, binocular vision assessment, colour vision assessment, management of paediatric patients, paediatric myopia management, low vision rehabilitation;
Clinical specialist contact lens practice: pre-fitting evaluation, contact lens fitting, patient education related to contact lens insertion and removal and care and maintenance, and aftercare;
Decision making in specialist optometric practice;
Differential diagnosis of binocular vision and colour vision anomalies, contact lens related problems, and ocular pathologies related to low vision;
Problem solving, case management and treatment plans in the specialty areas of optometry practice;
Spectacle and lens dispensing, contact lens dispensing, dispensing of low vision aids, prescribing of vision therapy.

You will practice with professional cultural safety and awareness of diverse perspectives and inclusion, using industry-relevant digital devices and systems used in optometric practice.

You will also work closely with adaptive technology experts in prescribing electronic aids in the low vision clinics.

Learning Approaches

This unit involves the clinical examination of patients presenting for eye examinations in the specialty optometric practice areas of contact lens, paediatric optometry, colour vision, myopia management clinic and the vision rehabilitation clinic under supervision of qualified and registered optometrists. Clinical practice in these areas 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 in these areas of practice.

You will be expected to demonstrate readiness to take on the role of an independent primary care practitioner, by assuming the primary role in determining the care given to your patients within the clinic.

Expected Clinical Conduct:
Clinical attendance is mandatory for all students. Clinical hours are documented to demonstrate fulfillment of Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand course accreditation requirements. Absence from a scheduled clinic session due to illness requires a medical certificate sighted by the unit coordinator and clinic coordinator. In addition, any clinical hours missed must be completed in the next scheduled semester break clinic (in addition to any mandatory clinics scheduled during the mid-year break or summer semester). In some exceptional circumstances, prior approval may be obtained from the unit and course coordinator to alter a student's individual clinical timetable. However, supporting evidence is required to justify the need for any timetable alterations.

Clinic sessions will be scheduled during the summer semester (November-February), and during the semester.

Students are required to comply with the policies and procedures of the QUT Optometry Clinic at all times. Failure to comply with relevant policies and procedures may lead to exclusion from the QUT Health Clinics and inability to complete the unit.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Patient encounters are assessed in a summative way throughout the unit to provide feedback regarding the development of clinical skills. Feedback will be provided throughout the clinical sessions on progress and development of your clinical practice.

Assessment

Overview

Patient encounters are assessed in a summative way throughout the unit to provide feedback regarding the development of clinical skills. Assessment of patient consultations may include an oral examination component. Feedback will be provided throughout the clinical sessions on progress and development of your clinical practice.

Satisfactory performance in the clinical examinations and end of semester exam is a condition for passing this unit.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Clinical Examinations

As a student optometrist, you will be assessed on patient encounters throughout the semester, focusing on your clinical skills, the ability to solve clinical problems through a problem oriented clinical routine, and the ability to communicate effectively with a patient. Greater emphasis is placed on clinical diagnostic and management skills in this later during the semester in this clinical practice unit, with the expectation that you will take on the primary role.

Most patient encounters will be assessed across the semester, with the exception of some review consultations.

Threshold Assessment:

Satisfactory performance in this assessment item is a condition for passing this unit. For the purpose of professional accreditation, demonstration of safe practice and performance consistent with the Entry-Level Competency Standards for Optometry is required. You will be eligible for reattempts of several clinical patient examinations at the minimum pass level, only when your achieved mark is within 40-49% of the pass level. You are advised to seek feedback on your performance from the unit coordinator prior to the reattempt.

Weight: 60

Length: 90-120 minutes per clinical examination

Individual/Group: Individual

Due (indicative): Throughout semester

Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Related Standards: ENTRYLVL OPT2014: 1, 1.01, 1.02, 1.03, 1.04, 1.05, 1.06, 1.07, 1.08, 1.09, 1.10, 1.11, 1.12, 2, 2.01, 2.02, 2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 3, 3.01, 3.02, 3.03, 3.04, 3.05, 3.06, 3.07, 3.08, 4, 4.01, 4.02, 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14, 4.15, 5, 5.01, 5.02, 5.03

Assessment: Case Report and Presentation

You will undertake the role of an optometrist in an optometry practice, where you are required to present and discuss a specialist clinic case to your peers as part of a professional development discussion group. Your case presentation will include a critical appraisal of your investigation and management of the patient, evaluating these against your knowledge of the science forming the basis for effective practice.

The powerpoint presentation submitted prior to the oral case presentation is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Weight: 10

Length: 7-8 minute presentation

Individual/Group: Individual

Due (indicative): Week 13

Related Unit learning outcomes: 2, 3, 4, 5

Related Standards: ENTRYLVL OPT2014: 1, 1.01, 1.02, 1.04, 1.06, 1.07, 1.08, 1.12

Assessment: End of Semester Examination

This is an end of semester written examination, where you will be required to respond to case based scenario questions relating to contact lens practice and myopia control. This will require demonstration of the synthesis of learning material across the course in solving clinical problems. The exam includes a series of MCQ, short-answer and extended response questions.

Threshold Assessment:

Satisfactory performance in this assessment item is a condition for passing this unit. For the purpose of professional accreditation, demonstration of safe practice and performance consistent with the Entry-Level Competency Standards for Optometry is required. You will be eligible for one reattempt at the minimum pass level, only when your achieved mark is within 40-49% of the pass level. You are advised to seek feedback on your performance from the unit coordinator prior to the reattempt.

Weight: 30

Individual/Group: Individual

Due (indicative): During central examination period

Central exam duration: 1:40 - Including 10 minute perusal

Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4

Related Standards: ENTRYLVL OPT2014: 1, 1.01, 1.02, 1.07, 1.08, 1.12

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Requirements

You are required to meet the mandatory requirements for clinical placement in the QUT Health Clinics, including mandatory vaccinations, a cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first-aid certificate and a Blue Card. You must also complete Queensland Health's Cultural Introductory Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Practice online module.

Blue Card

A blue card is required to complete this unit. A blue card confirms that you have passed a screening of your criminal history (the Working with Children Check) and have been approved to work with children and young people. For more information on the blue card and how to apply please visit the QUT website.

Risk Assessment Statement

This unit will involve practice of clinical techniques 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 will be informed of relevant Standard Operating Procedures as they pertain to this unit.

Standards/Competencies

This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.

Entry-Level Competency Standards for Optometry 2014

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

OP85 Master of Optometry

Synthesise complex optometric knowledge, cognitive, clinical and technical skills and research methodology in vision science.
Relates to: Clinical Examinations, Case Report and Presentation, End of Semester Examination
Reflect and apply critical thinking and researchable questions to generate solutions to complex conditions in clinical and research settings.
Relates to: Clinical Examinations, Case Report and Presentation, End of Semester Examination
Assess and diagnose patients using proficient clinical skills and evidence-based practice that result in culturally safe and effective management plans.
Relates to: Clinical Examinations
Communicate complex information effectively using oral, written and digital formats responsive to the clinical and cultural needs of diverse patients, other health professionals and community.
Relates to: Clinical Examinations, Case Report and Presentation
Practice as an inclusive, collaborative and reflective healthcare professional with capacity to adapt and develop resilience, and commitment to sustainable health care delivery within ethical, legal and professional frameworks.
Relates to: Clinical Examinations

OPN362 Specialist Clinic 1

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2025, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

Learning Outcomes

Content

Learning Approaches

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Assessment

Overview

Unit Grading Scheme

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Clinical Examinations

Assessment: Case Report and Presentation

Assessment: End of Semester Examination

Academic Integrity

Requirements to Study

Requirements

Blue Card

Risk Assessment Statement

Standards/Competencies

Entry-Level Competency Standards for Optometry 2014

1: Professional Responsibilities

2: Communication and Patient History

3: Patient Examination

4: Diagnosis and Management

5: Health Information Management

Course Learning Outcomes

OP85 Master of Optometry

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