Students
coming for the
preceptorship
are expected to
be serious and
focused about
learning. A strict
clinical postings
curriculum will
be followed, and
punctuality, thoroughness,
conscientiousness
and a professional
approach will
be expected.
1. Practice
Management:
record keeping,
waiting room organization,
recall/reminder
systems.
2. Handling
patients:
In the waiting
room, in the consulting
room and over
the telephone.
3. Dispensing:
ordering and checking
jobs, minor frame
repairs and adjustments.
4. Contact
Lenses:
fitting, delivery
and aftercare
5. Disease
management:
The students would
examine the patients
in the following
areas on indication:
- Slit lamp Biomicroscopy
- Ophthalmoscopy,
Direct And Indirect
- Retinoscopy
- Refraction
- Gonioscopy
- Fundoscopy
- Visual Field
Analysis
- Binocular Vision
Analysis
- Tonometry
- Contact Lenses,
fitting, delivery
and aftercare
It is hoped that
the students will
undertake frame
and lens selection
for their patients
as well as the
delivery of optical
appliances if
required.
The supervising
optometrists will
be asked to take
responsibility
for each patient
and discuss the
student’s
actions with regards
to patient management,
as well as comment
and sign the student’s
patient assessment
sheet.
The role
of the supervising
optometrist is
to ensure the
student under
their care:
- Records an
accurate patient
history.
- Instructs the
patient correctly.
- Performs each
examination procedure
efficiently and
accurately.
- Understands
the optometric
techniques and
uses a flexible
approach.
- Interprets
the clinical findings
correctly.
- Understands
the methods and
logic of arriving
at a diagnosis
and
treatment plan.
- Completes an
accurate prescription
where necessary.
- Refers as required
and recognizes
the need for further
examination.
- Writes reports/referrals
where necessary.
The supervisor
will be able to:
- Ensure every
patient examination
is a learning
experience for
the student.
- Allow the student
to put previous
knowledge into
clinical experience.
- Teach applied
problem solving.
- Encourage the
student to make
clinical decisions
and judgments.
- Discuss the
case with the
student with regards
to procedures,
diagnosis and
management.
- Assist both
technical and
communication
skills.
- Prepare for
the consultation
by reading through
past records if
appropriate.
- Be friendly,
helpful, honest,
professional,
available and
consistent.
The student will
complete a sheet
for each patient
consultation and
you will be required
to allocate a
grade to the student
for each examination.
In relation to
Medicare issues,
the Medicare Benefits
Branch, Commonwealth
Department of
Health and Ageing,
drafted the following
in November 2003:
“Medicare
benefits are only
paid for consultations
rendered by participating
optometrists.
Where students
are observing
and participating
in a consultation
under the direct
supervision of
an optometrist,
from the perspective
of Medicare the
presence of the
student is incidental.
The primary purpose
of the consultation
is for the optometrist
to deliver a health
care service to
the patient, and
that is the service
for which Medicare
benefits are payable.”
The students
will be required
to write a report
on the experience
in our practice.
We believe that
the preceptorship
program is a very
important component
of the education
of the final year
students.
We realize the
imposition that
the program makes
upon your time
and that of our
staff. |
