Assessment of Optometric Competence PG (10330.1)

Required texts

There is no prescribed textbook for this unit. Students are advised to revise all suitable material from pre-requisite units in the Master of Optometry and Bachelor of Vision Science as the assessments necessarily includes assessment of content taught in previous units of the optometry program as this unit applies all that knowledge to patient care. 

Submission of assessment items

Special assessment requirements

In order to pass the unit, students must:

• attempt all assessment items, including subparts;
• attend all clinical placements, lectures, workshops and problem based learning (PBL). Note that for external accreditation reasons, attendance is compulsory and records will be kept. Students are required to submit an absence form (available via the unit's canvas site) and documentary evidence for EACH absence.
• achieve a minimum mark of 50% in the Final Examination of theory (hurdle) 
• achieve a minimum mark of 50% in E portfolio parts A and B to pass the unit (hurdle) and satisfy OCANZ patient quota requirements (hurdle).
• pass 100% of the OSCE stations to pass the unit (hurdle)

Students are required to pass 100% of the OSCE stations to pass the unit (hurdle). Only students who pass at least 50% of the OSCE stations (i.e. 11 out of 21) during the main OSCE examination will be eligible for a maximum of two additional attempts at the failed stations during the scheduled times in weeks 17 and 18 of the semester. The additional attempts will not contribute to the mark, i.e. not increase nor decrease the mark for the OSCE examination assessment, and are only for the purposes of demonstrating competency to meet this unit hurdle.

Example 1: A student passed 10 out of the 21 stations in the main OSCE examination achieving amark of 48% (10/21*100=48%). This is fewer than 50% of the OSCE stations, therefore the student has failed the assessment item and the hurdle; they are not eligible for any further attempts and must repeat the unit. The final mark for the OSCE will be 48%.

Example 2: A student passed 18 out of the 21 stations (i.e. 18/21*100=86%) in the main OSCE examination so is eligible for 2 additional attempts to pass the failed stations (i.e. needs to re-attempt the 3 failed stations only). If the student is able to obtain competency in all the failed stations within those 2 additional attempts, the student keeps the same mark of 86% and has passed the OSCE hurdle. If the student does not achieve competency in the failed stations after 2 additional attempts, the student has not met the requirement to pass 100% of the OSCE stations to pass the unit (hurdle) and must repeat the unit.

Example 3: A student passed 11 out of the 21 stations (i.e. 11/21*100=52%) in the main OSCE examination so is eligible for a maximum of 2 additional attempts to pass the failed stations (i.e. needsto re-attempt the 10 failed stations only). If the student is able to obtain competency in all the failed stations within those 2 additional attempts, the student keeps the same mark of 52% and has passed the OSCE hurdle. If the student does not achieve competency in the failed stations after 2 additional attempts, the student has not met the requirement to pass 100% of the OSCE stations to pass the unit (hurdle) and must repeat the unit.

Students are not permitted supplementary assessments within this unit as successful completion of each assessment item is required to demonstrate required professional competencies.

The unit convener reserves the right to question students on any of their submitted work.

If a student has a Reasonable Adjustment Plan (RAP) to apply to their studies, it is their responsibility to communicate with their unit convener in writing with the RAP attached at least 7 days before their in-class assessment is due.

Students are required to cooperate in (laboratory classes, workshops or remediation sessions) where students may be asked to practise optometry skills on each other, so each student is the patient and practitioner in turn and in approximately equal duration. By both conducting the clinical procedures and participating in the tests, students will gain an insight and empathy into the issues associated with testing visual function, from the point of view of both an optometrist and patient.

This course aims to develop your professional and communication skills in preparation for your journey towards being a health professional. During classes and placements, you will be required to demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict. Any action or omission that affects the safety of your patient or peers or staff or is deemed disrespectful to your patients, fellow students or the teaching staff can result in failure of a patient assessment task regardless of the aggregate mark for the assessment. Virtual classes have additional requirements where you will further develop communication skills in the virtual environment. While in a virtual environment, students are required to present themselves and communicate with peers, staff and invited speakers in a professional way. Hence, the default for all virtual classes is for all student web cameras to be turned on during virtual classes. Instructors may require students to interact either verbally, through polls or the shared chat function. Students who do not participate in this way can be marked as absent for the class. Students who need guidance on expected behaviours and participation may consult with the Unit Convener and/or Study Skills. Instructors may request that cameras are turned off under certain circumstances.

Supplementary assessment

This unit has been granted an exemption from the requirement to offer supplementary assessments. Students are not permitted supplementary assessments within this unit as successful completion of each assessment item is required to demonstrate required professional competencies.

Professionalism:
Students are required to cooperate in laboratory classes, workshops or remediation sessions where students may be asked to practise optometry skills on each other, with each student as the patient and practitioner in turn and in approximately equal duration. By both conducting the clinical procedures and participating in the tests, you will gain an insight and empathy into the issues associated with testing visual function, both from the point of view of both an optometrist and patient.

AI:
Contract Cheating
Contract cheating (academic outsourcing / ghost-writing) is a form of academic misconduct in which students submit written or creative work which has been drafted or produced by someone else and claim authorship for it. It includes (but is not limited to) using a third party, artificial intelligence, offering their services for commercial or other benefits, to complete (either partially or fully) an assignment or other assessment items on behalf of the student.

You are at risk of contract cheating if you ask someone (including artificial intelligence) to:

• Complete an assignment for you
• Substantially edit your assignment
• Do your university work for you, with or without compensation
• Check test or quiz answers
• Sit a test or quiz for you
• Provide someone with your UC login details
• Use someone's work as your own

You may also be at risk of contract cheating if you provide information to people or organisations outside UC, such as:

• Assignment questions and briefs
• Lecture notes
• Marking rubrics and marking guides

UC considers contract cheating serious misconduct which may attract suspension or exclusion from the university. Furthermore, we, as your education provider, have mandatory reporting responsibilities under National Law. We are required to notify the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA) if we believe that a registered health practitioner (including those with student registration) has behaved in a way that constitutes notifiable conduct including significant departure from accepted professional standards.Contract cheating can result in UC submitting a mandatory notification to AHPRA.

You can learn more about contract cheating in the Academic Integrity Module, a compulsory module that provides information about a range of issues including plagiarism and contract cheating. UC provides arange of services to support student learning. Further information regarding Study Skills, Studiosity and Medical & Counselling services are available on your unit's Canvas site.

Artificial intelligence services must not be used by students in assessments or assessment preparation.

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Participation requirements

100% attendance for all clinical placements, lectures, workshops and PBL is required to pass the unit.  Students are required to submit an absence form (available via the unit's UC Learn Canvas site) and appropriate documentary evidence for every absence.  The unit convener will assess the application; however, this will not guarantee that the application will be successful.

Required IT skills

The unit involves the use of UC Learn Canvas, library searching skills, Microsoft Office Suite and online presentation skills.

This unit also involves online meetings in real time using the Virtual Room in the UC Learn teaching site.  The Virtual Room allows students to communicate in real time with their lecturer/instructor, and other students.  Students will need a web camera and a microphone to participate verbally.  For best audio quality, a microphone and speaker headset are recommended.  Students are advised to go to the Virtual Room in the UC Learn site and 'Join Course Room' for more information and testing their computer.  This will trigger a tutorial to help the student familiarise with the functionality of the Virtual Room.

Students are required to turn on their cameras for online classes and will be marked absent if their cameras are not turned on.

In-unit costs

Costs associated with clinical placements include but are not limited to:

- uniform related costs and uniform maintenance

- equipment related costs and equipment maintenance

Work placement, internships or practicums

This unit involves work integrated learning projects (WIL).  Students must adhere to University policy during WIL activities, including the Student Conduct Rules 2018, the WIL Policy and WIL Procedure, and the Assessment Policy and Assessment Procedure.

This unit has pre-placement requirements (e.g. Working with Vulnerable People registration, immunisation/s) which must be completed prior to the student's placement.

Additional information

Under section 143 of the National Law, an education provider must notify the National Agency if the provider reasonably believes — (a) a student enrolled in a program of study provided by the provider has an impairment that, in the course of the student undertaking clinical training as part of the program of study, may place the public at substantial risk of harm; or (b) a student for whom the education provider has arranged clinical training has an impairment that, in the course of the student undertaking the clinical training, may place the public at substantial risk of harm.

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