Syllabus and module structure

Syllabus and module details

Syllabus and module details

Module 1

Ocular Therapeutics

Module Structure

Lectures – 10 hours

Practical skills – 4 hours

Distance Learning – 50 hours

Directed study – 83 hours

Assessment – 3 hours

Summary of Content

• Pharmacology of ocular therapeutic drugs

• Clinical features and management options for anterior eye disease

• Drugs used in the treatment of eye disease.

• Potential impact of medications on the eye and vision,

Learning Outcome

Following successful completion of this module, the students should be able to:-

• Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the eye and adnexa.

• Evaluate the principal signs and symptoms likely to be associated with various types of eye disease and to conduct appropriate ophthalmic investigations.

• Recognise the presence of ocular abnormalities and eye disease, make a differential diagnosis and make decisions on the appropriate management strategies.

• Apply knowledge of the theory and practice relating to the expected occurrence (epidemiology), the underlying disease processes (pathology) and their treatment (therapeutics or surgical intervention) as relevant to abnormal ocular conditions.

• Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of ocular therapeutic drugs.

Syllabus

• Anatomy and physiology of the eye and adnexa

• General and ocular immunology

• General and ocular microbiology

• Principles of pharmacology

• Disorders of the anterior eye

• Pathogenesis, clinical features, management

• Ocular pharmacology and therapeutics

• Ophthalmic pharmaceuticals to include product availability, product characteristics, selection and use as relevant to different types of abnormal ocular conditions and eye disease

• Practical – punctum and intracanalicular plugs

• Practical – Gonioscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy, slit lamp

Teaching/Learning Strategy

Teaching will start with a two-day session of introductory lectures and practicals. During this session practitioners will be given clinical training and lectures in anterior eye disease. The rest of the module will use a distance-learning format. Students will be provided with a series of distance learning articles and interactive case record discussions using Blackboard software. Continuous formative assessments will be set to facilitate learning.

Assessment

A 3 hour written examination will be completed and passed at the end of the course. This examination will employ various forms of assessment including short answer, MCQs and VIMOC type questions.

Module 2

Practical Prescribing

Module Structure

Lectures – 14 hours

Directed Learning – 131 hours

Assessment – 5 hours

Summary of Content

• The use of medications used in the management of selective ocular conditions

• The development of clinical management plans, monitoring and reflecting on treatment, drug legislation

• Critically assess available optometric, medical and treatment (therapeutic) strategies within an informed and flexible approach so as to meet the specific needs of patients presenting with abnormal ocular conditions or selected eye diseases

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the module, practitioners will be able to: -

• Demonstrate an ability to take a comprehensive medical history and examine the eye using agreed instrumentation and clinical techniques

• Demonstrate an ability to develop and document a clinical management plan within the context of a prescribing partnership

• Demonstrate an ability to critically evaluate sources of information, advice and decision support in prescribing practice, taking into account current evidence based practice

• Demonstrate an understanding of the legal and professional framework for accountability and responsibility in relation to supplementary prescribing

• Devise appropriate referral procedures

• Demonstrate a basic understanding of the main concepts that are important in relation to communication and interaction with other health care professionals pertinent to the management of selected abnormal ocular conditions and eye diseases,

• Understand the principles of the Medicines Act and the principles of access to medicines, including the prescribing of medicines for human use

Syllabus

• History taking

• Development of a clinical management plan

• Monitoring compliance and response to treatment

• Knowledge of natural progress of conditions being treated

• Identifying and reporting adverse drug reactions

• Knowledge of own limitations and criteria for referral

• Drug legislation, drug licensing

• Use of Additional Supply medication and supplementary prescribing in optometric practice

• Review of GOC referral guidelines

• Prescription writing

• Sources of drug information

• Record keeping

• Clinical Governance in relation to prescribing

• Evidence based practice

• Reflective practice

• Working within the NHS

• Prescribing safely and professionally

Teaching/Learning Strategy

This module will run as a series of lectures and practicals over a two day period. Online support will be provided via Blackboard software from the Department of Vision Sciences and access to other web base materials has been arranged through the School of Pharmacy at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen. Information from other websites such as the nurse prescriber website (www.nurse-prescriber.co.uk) will provide further useful sources of information.

Assessment

A 3 hour written examination and MCQ. The written examination will include case scenarios relating to prescribing practice.

Module 3

Independent Prescribing

Module Structure

Lectures - 14 hours

Directed Learning - 134 hours

Assessment - 2 hours

Summary of Content

•  Pharmacokinetics & pharmacodynamics of systemically administered medicines.

• Legal and ethical aspects of the professional autonomy of an independent prescriber.

• Evidence based practice and clinical governance in relation to prescribing

• Local and national policies impacting on prescribing practice

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the module, optometrist independent prescribers should be able to demonstrate:

• an understanding of their role as an independent prescriber, an awareness of the limitations of their clinical experience and an ability to work within the limits of their professional competence.

• an understanding of the public health issues related to medicines use.

• an understanding of the legal, ethical and professional framework for accountability and responsibility in relation to prescribing.

• an ability to work within clinical governance frameworks that include audit of prescribing practice and personal development.

Syllabus

• Pharmaceutical and clinical knowledge

  • Pharmacokinetics & pharmacodynamics of systemically administered medicines

  • Common systemic conditions and indicative medications

    • Cardiovascular System: Angina and MI; Hypertension; Hyperlipidaemia; Heart failure

    • Respiratory System: Asthma; COPD; Gastointestinal and bladder; Peptic ulcer disease; GORD

    • Central Nervous System: Anxiety and Insomnia; Depression and mania; Psychosis; Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease

    • Endocrine System: Diabetes, thyroid disorders

    • Musculo-skeletal System: Osteoarthritis; Rheumatoid arthritis

    • Dermatology: Acne, Eczema, Infections, Infestations, Psoriasis

    • Paediatrics: Diabetes, Upper respiratory tract infections; cystic fibrosis; behavioural disorders

    • Palliative care

  • Effects of systemic medications on the eye / Potential for unwanted effects:

    • ocular effects of systemically administered drugs

      • effects on eye muscles

      • effects on external eye: eyelid tissue, conjunctiva, cornea and tear film

      • effects on the posterior eye: crystalline lens, IOP, retina and optic nerve

    • drug-drug interactions of common systemic medications

    • cautions, contraindications and side-effects with respect to patient medical and medication history of drugs used in the treatment of disorders of the eye and adnexa.

• History taking, decision making and review:

  • History taking with emphasis on systemic medical and medication history

  • Decision making and review

    • Concept of a working diagnosis

    • Development of a treatment plan including selection and optimisation of a drug regimen

• Prescribing in an individual and team context:

  • Development and maintenance of professional knowledge and competence in relation to the condition(s) which the optometrist intends to manage (with or without the prescription of drugs)

• Evidence based practice and clinical governance in relation to prescribing

  • Information systems / decision making support tools

• Local and national policies impacting on prescribing practice

  • Local and national frameworks for medicines use

  • Antimicrobial use and resistance

  • Budgetary constraints at local and national level

  • Safe disposal of medicines

Teaching/Learning Strategy

This module will run as a series of lectures and practicals over a two day period. Online support will be provided via Blackboard software from the Department of Vision Sciences and access to other web base materials will be arranged. Other websites such as the nurse prescriber website (www.nurse-prescriber.co.uk) will provide further useful sources of information.

Assessment

A 3 hour written examination and MCQ. The written examination will include case scenarios relating to prescribing practice. A further 2 hour OSCE exam will be completed to assess clinical and diagnostic skills.

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