Melbourne School of Health Sciences (Optometry)
Currently Enrolled Students:
Future Student Enquiries:
- Further information: Optometry and Vision Sciences
- Email: Optometry Enquiry
Allison McKendrick
Michael Pianta
Melbourne School of Health Sciences (Optometry)
Currently Enrolled Students:
Future Student Enquiries:
Upon completion of the Doctor of Optometry you can submit an application to register and practice as an optometrist in all states and territories of Australia and in New Zealand.
This course prepares students to meet the registration requirements of the Optometry Board of Australia. More information on this official body can be found at the following website - http://www.optometryboard.gov.au/
Knowledge: Graduates of the Doctor of Optometry course will have:
Skills: Graduates of the Doctor of Optometry course will have:
Application of knowledge and skills: Graduates of the Doctor of Optometry course will demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills:
Specific graduate attributes have been carefully defined, developed and mapped to every component of the course, as listed below.
On completion of the Doctor of Optometry students should:
1. Optometric Knowledge & Skills. Students must be able to demonstrate the application of clinical knowledge to patient care. At the end of the internship year they should be able to:
a. select, justify, and interpret appropriate clinical tests with attention to benefits, harm and costs.
b. Demonstrate clinical competence through the number of patients seen, techniques performed and feedback provided.
c. demonstrate knowledge of the ethical, moral and legal foundations of optometric care.
d. recognize the social determinants of vision disorders and disease, and the influence of physical, social and cultural environments.
2. Patient Care. Students must be able to provide patient care than is compassionate, appropriate and effective. At the end of the internship year they should be able to:
a. perform a targeted, accurate and timely clinical examination based on the patient’s condition.
b. interpret data and use clinical reasoning skills to derive a differential diagnosis and develop a clinical management plan.
c. collaborate with other health professionals to ensure patient safety and to enhance the quality of care.
d. recognise and work within the limits of their competence and scope of practice.
3. Life-long learning and Improvement. Students must be able to appraise and assimilate scientific evidence, and continuously improve patient care based on critical reflection and life-long learning. At the end of the internship year they should be able to:
a. demonstrate an ability to identify strengths and weaknesses in knowledge and skills, and seek opportunities to address those deficits.
b. demonstrate the ability to give and receive constructive, formative feedback.
c. demonstrate an ability to plan and monitor self-directed learning, taking into account the relative merit of learning activities..
d. critically appraise scientific evidence and translate research findings into practice
4. Interpersonal and Communication Skills. Students must be able to demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in effective information exchange with patients, patients’ families and professional associates. At the end of the internship year they should be able to:
a. communicate effectively with patients and families across a broad range of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
b. demonstrate sensitivity in the care of patients by treating them as an individual.
c. communicate perceptively in difficult situations.
d. demonstrate the ability to communicate inter-professionally and intra-professionally
5. Professionalism. Students must demonstrate adherence to ethical principles, and a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities in the best interest of the patient and the community. At the end of the internship year they should be able to:
a. apply principles of autonomy, beneficence, and justice, and work to resolve ethical dilemmas as they arise in clinical practice.
b. demonstrate honesty, integrity, respect, reliability, responsibility and confidentiality in all professional interactions.
c. demonstrate empathy, compassion and self-care.
d. show commitment to the prevention of vision disorders, eye injury and eye disease, and the promotion of health and wellbeing within the community.
Last updated: 31 October 2023