Therapeutic Prescribing for Optometrists (PgCert)

How will I be taught?

Each module offers a variety of teaching and learning methods, making extensive use of the Virtual Learning Environment and online resources. There are online lectures and online articles. Webinars enable remote case discussions. Practical face to face days allow interactive workshops and face to face case-based discussion.

Authors and teachers include optometrists (IP), ophthalmologists, Pharmacologists, GPs, Microbiologists, Ophthalmic & clinical pharmacists. 

How will I be assessed?

A range of assessment methods will be used on the programme in order to reflect the high level of decision making skills and knowledge required for advanced clinical care in optometry.
The programme utilises a combination of formative and summative assessment in all modules, where the assessment tasks are aligned with learning outcomes.
You are required to submit case records in every module. You have the opportunity to submit a formative case record to receive detailed feedback prior to submitting your summative report.  Timed, written examinations allow assessment of knowledge and skills. All modules require some participation in online discussions to optimise learning – this is particularly important to draw distance learners together and provide a support peer network, at the same time as improving communication skills.

How will I be supported?

You can enrol online, but you are required to attend a face to face teaching day in person, held towards the start of the programme. This will provide the opportunity to meet other students on the course as well as the teachers. The student handbook and module catalogue offer some additional guidance.

Throughout the course Module Leaders and Tutors are available via email. They also hold regular online webinars which will allow you to interact with other students and the module leader.

A personal tutor is the first contact for any difficulties, academic or personal. As an alternative, you may contact the Director of the PGT programmes.

The Student Support Service at Cardiff University is able to help with many diverse issues should you feel unable to approach staff in OTOM.

What skills will I practise and develop?

Knowledge & Understanding:

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:

• A knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the eye and adnexa.
• A knowledge of the pathophysiology, clinical features and natural course of the conditions being treated.
• 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 understanding of his or her role as an independent prescriber, an awareness of the limitations of his or her experience and an ability to work within the limits of his or her professional competence.

Intellectual Skills:

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:

• An ability to 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.
• An ability to demonstrate a detailed knowledge of ocular therapeutic drugs.
• An ability to critically evaluate sources of information, advice and decision support in prescribing practice, taking into account current evidence based practice.

Professional Practical Skills:

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:

• An ability to evaluate the principal signs and symptoms likely to be associated with various types of eye disease and to conduct appropriate ophthalmic investigations.
• An ability to recognise the presence of ocular abnormalities and eye disease, make a differential diagnosis and make decisions on the appropriate management strategies.
• An ability to take a comprehensive medical history and examine the eye and adnexa using appropriate instrumentation and clinical techniques.
• An ability to identify the nature and severity of the presenting condition and to generate an appropriate patient-specific clinical management plan

Transferable/Key Skills:

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to demonstrate:

• Further develop good communication skills
• Further develop professionalism towards colleagues and patients
• Exercise initiative, self-reliance and time-management skills for their own independent learning
• Exercise problem solving and IT skills
• Access and utilise information form a variety of resources
• Appreciate alternative viewpoints

 

What are the learning outcomes of this course/programme?

• To be able to assess the signs and symptoms of anterior eye disease to make a differential diagnosis and to rank available treatment options and formulate, recommend and defend (by providing evidence of appraisal of the literature) an appropriate management plan.
• To be able to evaluate the response of anterior eye disease to treatment and choose to revise the diagnosis and management plan, or not, justifying and explaining the choice(s) made.
• To be able to combine the information from investigations to rank potential treatment options and to formulate, recommend and justify (by providing evidence of appraisal of the literature) an appropriate management plan for patients with ocular hypertension and glaucoma.
• To be able to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment to lower intra-ocular pressure in patients with ocular hypertension and glaucoma and to review the management plan accordingly or not, defending and explaining the choice(s) made
• To be able to rank potential treatment options and to formulate and review a management plan for people with eye disease, evidencing an understanding of the diverse influences on prescribing decisions including local and national guidance, clinical effectiveness, general health, cost, safety concerns/ side effects and patient choice and explaining and justifying the choices made to patients and colleagues .