This online PG course is the first of three independent prescribing courses/clinical placements which make up the PG Certificate in Prescribing. Students must pass this module, OVM050, and OVM053, complete a clinical placement, submit a logbook, and pass the Therapeutic Common Final Assessment (TCFA) through the College of Optometrists (CoO), to join the IP register.
1 starting date
-
Starting date:
- Duration: 12 weeks (non-consecutive)
- Time: to
- Fees: £1,180 (£1,400 for overseas students)
- Course credits: 15
- Occurs: Wednesday
- Course code: OVM058
- Location: Online; assessments in person
- Application deadline:
Optometry - Principles of Prescribing (Module 2 of 3) Course overview
The emphasis of the Principles of Prescribing online module 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 over 15 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 the legal and regulatory framework provided by the Opticians Act and relevant medicines legislation.
Who is it for?
The module is for GOC-registered optometrists wishing to become Independent Prescribers. Students are required to complete this module and also OVM050- Principles of Therapeutics and OVM053-Independent prescribing.
Timetable
Term 2
Online Launch Date:
Mar: Monday 10 March 2025
(Module will go live on Moodle only)
Online Synchronous Teaching Dates:
Mar: Wednesday 26 March 2025
May: Wednesday 7, 21 May 2025
Jun: Wednesday 4 June 2025
Assessment Date:
(Please note this assessment will be in-person at our City Sight Eye Clinic)
Jul: Wednesday 2 July 2025
Benefits
As the module uses online learning, it can be completed alongside full time working. Attendance is required for the assessment day.
What will I learn?
By the end of the module you will have learnt
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 competently acknowledging 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 and certificates
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.
An RPEL arrangement will be used to import postgraduate credits from the clinical placement aspect of the College of Optometrists’ Common Final Assessment to allow students qualifying in IP to be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate or use the credits towards a Diploma or MSc.
Following successful completion of all parts (OVM050 Principles of Therapeutics, OVM058 Principles of Prescribing, OVM053 Independent Prescribing and a 12 day clinical placement), you will be awarded a PG Certificate in Prescribing
Teaching
The module is delivered online – lecture notes and recordings using Echo 360 are available via Moodle.
This module is provided by the School of Health & Psychological Sciences.
Award
This is a professional and an academic qualification. On successful completion of this module you’ll receive 15 postgraduate credits, which count towards an MSc in Clinical Optometry. This module also counts towards you CET points.
Route to Registration for Additional Supply (AS) and Independent Prescribing (IP)
To qualify for Additional Supply (AS), students must successfully complete two core modules: OVM050 and OVM058.
For those pursuing Independent Prescribing (IP), three modules are required: OVM050, OVM058, and OVM053.
All three modules must be passed prior to advancing to the clinical placement stage. This is a 12-week clinical placement within the hospital eye service.
After successfully completing the IP modules, students must register with the College of Optometrists (CoO). This includes completing a practical clinical placement, submitting a logbook, and passing the Therapeutic Common Final Assessment (TCFA) to join the IP register.
For more detailed information and to book the exam, you can visit the College of Optometrists' website at the link provided below:
College of Optometrists: Independent Prescribing QualificationOnce you have completed all parts of the prescribing programme, you will be put onto the specialist register of the General Optical Council (GOC) as an independent prescriber.
This module is provided by the School of Health & Psychological Sciences.
Credits
This course is worth 15 credits toward eligible programmes.
Eligibility
- 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 (GOC) whilst completing all parts of the training
- Overseas optometrists will be accepted on an ad-hoc basis providing their undergraduate syllabus and clinical responsibilities are similar to those of a UK optometrist
- You must have completed or be completing module OVM050 - Principles of Therapeutics - before starting this module
- You must have at least 2 years experience before taking the College of Optometrists’ Common Final Assessment.
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.
Recommended reading
The Module Lead will suggest reading material and additional resources during the module.