Principles of Prescribing

The emphasis of the Principles of Prescribing course are as follows:

• History-taking and examination techniques
• Clinical management guidelines
• Management of specific ocular conditions
• Evidence-based practice and clinical governance in relation to prescribing
• Prescribing safely and professionally.

The Department of Optometry and Visual Sciences at City, University of London has been providing modular postgraduate training in ocular therapeutics for nearly 25 years. The purpose of this training has been to provide the theoretical knowledge and clinical skills to enable optometrists to manage ocular disease within the context of within the context of Independent Prescribing.

Who is it for?

The course is for GOC-registered optometrists wishing to become Independent Prescribers. Students are required to complete this course and also OVM050- Principles of Therapeutics and OVM053-Independent prescribing.

Timetable

Face-to-face learning: 9th & 10th November 2020

Teaching hours: 09:00 to 18:00

Assessment: 26th January 2021

Resit: 25th August 2021

Benefits

The course is for GOC-registered optometrists. Optometrists wishing to become Independent Prescribers are required to complete this course and also OVM050 Principles of Therapeutics and OVM053 Independent prescribing. You must have completed OVM050 or be in the process of completing OVM050 prior to taking this course.

The course is also useful to any optometrists wishing to expand their knowledge of eye disease and differential diagnosis. The course is fully accredited for CET points.

This short course module is designed to be flexible in allowing you to study and reach your goals at your own pace. Our health CPD courses are credit-bearing modules that contribute to a University degree or award.

Transfer course credits towards postgraduate taught degree

As a health care professional, once you've completed this course you could offset 15 credits as part of a postgraduate programme, continuing your study with further modules to make up a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) 60 credits, Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) 120 credits or Master of Science (MSc) 180 credits qualification (all credits must be awarded within five years of study commencing).

By the end of the course you will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding:

• Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the anatomy of the orbit and adnexa
• Demonstrate a general understanding of the principles of immunology and microbiology
• Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of pharmacology
• Provide a detailed explanation of, and differentiate between, anterior ophthalmic conditions and appropriate management
• Demonstrate a general understanding of the relevant laboratory investigations in ocular disease.

Skills:

• Exercise and further develop your analytical skills in the field of therapeutics
• Demonstrate an ability to critically apply your knowledge of pharmacology to prescribing practice
• Demonstrate analytical and problem-solving skills in a variety of theoretical and practical situations
• Advance your own knowledge and understanding and develop your skills to a high level
• Demonstrate competence in applying clinical skills to the practice of therapeutics
• Exercise professional judgement in selecting the most appropriate patient management strategy
• Refer patients appropriately
• Demonstrate an ability to apply knowledge of immunology and microbiology within the context of a systematic understanding of the pathophysiology of ocular disease
• Analyse the results of clinical examinations and competently acknowledge optometric limitations
• Demonstrate an ability to critically evaluate sources of information, advice and decision support in prescribing practice, taking into account current evidence based practice
• Refine your clinical problem-solving skills
• Operate in a complex and unpredictable environment with an overview of the issues governing best practice.

Values and attitudes:

• Show an awareness of ethical practice.

Assessment

The theoretical content of Principles of Prescribing will be assessed via a two-hour examination using short answer questions (SAQs) and objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs).

Candidates entering the full independent prescribing (IP) programme will complete a three-course scheme (Principles of Therapeutics, Principles of Prescribing and Independent Prescribing) and complete the requisite clinical placement days. Candidates may opt to exit after principles of therapeutics and Principles of Prescribing (following completion of a clinical placement) and qualify as an Additional Supply (AS) optometrist by taking the College of Optometrists’ Common Final Assessment (CFA) in AS.

Teaching

The course is delivered using blended learning – material is made available via Moodle in advance of the course and the remainder of the course is delivered over two days of (compulsory) face-to-face learning.

Completion of this course represents 15 PG credits and can be taken whilst completing OVM050 or once OVM050 has been completed.

Credits

This course is worth 15 credits toward eligible programmes.

Course requirements include:

• You should normally be a UK-registered optometrist satisfying all legal requirements to be eligible to practise in the UK
• You should also be registered with the General Optical Council
• Overseas optometrists will be accepted on an ad-hoc basis providing your undergraduate syllabus and clinical responsibilities are similar to those of a UK optometrist
• You must complete or be in process of completing course OVM050 - Principles of Therapeutic - before starting this course.

English requirements

If your first language is not English, one of the following is required:

• A first degree from a UK university
• A first degree from an overseas institution recognised by City, University of London as providing adequate evidence of proficiency in the English language, for example, from institutions from Australia, Canada or the United States of America.
• International English Language Test Service (IELTS) a score of 7.0 is required with no subtest below 7.0
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) score 72 required
• TOEFL 100 overall with 24 in Writing, 20 in Listening, 19 Reading and 20 Speaking
• Other evidence of proficiency in the English language, which satisfies the board of studies concerned, including registration with your professional regulator.

The course Leads will suggest reading material and additional resources during the course.