Optometry - Principles of Prescribing (Module 2 of 3)

The emphasis of the Principles of Prescribing online 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 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 course 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 11 March 2024
(Module will go live on Moodle only)

Online Synchronous Teaching Dates:
Mar: Wednesday 27 March 2024
Apr: Wednesday 10 April 2024
May: Wednesday 8 May 2024
Jun: Wednesday 5 June 2024

Assessment Date:
(Please note this assessment will be in-person at our City Sight Eye Clinic)

Jul: Wednesday 3 July 2024

Benefits

As the course uses online learning, it can be completed alongside full time working. Attendance is required for the assessment day.

By the end of the course 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

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.

Teaching

The course is delivered online – lecture notes and recordings using Echo 360 are available via Moodle.

Credits

This course is worth 15 credits toward eligible programmes.

• 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 their undergraduate syllabus and clinical responsibilities are similar to those of a UK optometrist
• You must have completed module OVM050 - Principles of Therapeutics - before starting this course
• 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.

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