Doctor of Optometry (MC-DOPTOM) // Attributes, outcomes and skills

Optometric Knowledge and Skills: Students must demonstrate knowledge about established and evolving basic and clinical science, as well as the application of this knowledge to patient care. At the end of the internship year they should be able to:

• demonstrate clinical competence through critical reflection over a broad range of patient experiences;
• select, perform and interpret appropriate clinical tests as part of a targeted, accurate and timely clinical examination;
• identify and evaluate resources that relate to the ethical, moral and legal foundations of optometric care; and
• articulate how physical, social and cultural background impact on a patient's likelihood of developing a vision disorder or disease.

Patient Care: Students must be able to provide patient care that is compassionate, appropriate, and effective. At the end of the internship year they should be able to:

• use evidence-based practice to develop and justify an appropriate management plan, considering the best available research evidence, clinical expertise, the individual patient and the practice context;
• collaborate with other health professionals to ensure patient safety and to enhance the quality of care; and
• reflect on the provision of care with attention to benefits, risks and costs for individuals and the community;
• recognise and work within the limits of their competence and scope of practice.

Life-Long Learning and Improvement: Students must be able to continuously improve patient care based on self-evaluation and life-long learning. At the end of the internship year they should be able to:

• develop, implement, monitor and revise a personal learning plan to enhance patient care;
• assess their performance using various internal and external sources of data, and identify opportunities for learning and improvement;
• critically appraise scientific evidence and translate research findings into practice; and
• give and receive constructive feedback.

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:

• communicate effectively with patients and families from diverse backgrounds;
• communicate perceptively in difficult situations; and
• demonstrate sensitivity in the care of patients by treating them as an individual;
• communicate inter- and intra-professionally.

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:

• demonstrate honesty, integrity, respect, reliability, responsibility, and confidentiality in all professional interactions;
• apply principles of autonomy, beneficence, and justice, and work to resolve ethical dilemmas as they arise in clinical practice;
• show commitment to the role of primary eye care in the health and wellbeing of the community.
• demonstrate empathy, compassion and self-care; and

On completion of the Doctor of Optometry course students should:

• be able to plan strategies for improving the management of information in the workplace;
• be able to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to new problems;
• have highly developed written and oral communication skills;
• have enhanced leadership skills;
• be able to work as part of a team to address a common goal;
• have an appreciation of the design, conduct and reporting of original research;
• have a capacity to manage competing demands on time, including self-directed project work;
• be able to keep up to date with the latest innovations;
• be able to reflect upon and identify deficiencies in your knowledge and develop strategies to address those deficiencies.
• be able to articulate the interpretation of data in written form;
• be able to integrate knowledge from different domains;
• value the collection and recording of accurate and complete data;
• have a profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of scholarship; and
• be able to evaluate scientific literature as a foundation to evidence-based practice.

Academic distinction: The University of Melbourne educational experience prepares well-rounded graduates who are academically outstanding and have research and reasoning skills that equip them to be influential citizens with high leadership potential. Graduates of the Doctor of Optometry course should:

• be able to apply in-depth knowledge and skills to the practice of optometry;
• be critical, creative thinkers with strong reasoning skills;
• be able to apply knowledge, information and research skills to complex problems in a range of contexts;
• be effective oral and written communicators;
• be entrepreneurial and innovative thought-leaders;
• bring research and inquiry skills to challenges in their workplaces and communities; and
• be adept lifelong learners who generate bold and novel ideas by critically evaluating alternative possibilities and viewpoints.

Active citizenship: The University of Melbourne educational experience prepares graduates who are socially responsible, engage with national and global issues and are attuned to social and cultural diversity. Graduates of the Doctor of Optometry course should:

• have engaged with contemporary local, national and global issues;
• have a high regard for human rights, social inclusion, ethics and the environment;
• be aware of the social and cultural diversity in communities;
• be able to work collaboratively with people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds;
• understand and respect Indigenous knowledge, culture and values;
• be active, well-informed citizens who make substantial contributions to society; and
• have the potential to be leaders in their professions and communities.

Integrity and self-awareness: The University of Melbourne educational experience prepares graduates who are practically grounded, have high levels of self-awareness, and value their personal integrity and well-being. Graduates of the Doctor of Optometry course should:

• be motivated, self-directed and well-organised, with the ability to set goals and manage time and priorities;
• be able to work effectively both independently and in groups;
• be highly self-aware and reflective, with skills in self-assessment;
• place great importance on their personal and professional integrity;
• be enthusiastic, self-assured and confident of their knowledge, yet flexible, adaptable and aware of their limitations;
• be willing to explore, experiment and learn from mistakes;
• have empathy and concern for the welfare of others; and
• be able to manage their own well-being.