Diagnostic clinic, 7.5 credits

Degree of Bachelor of Science in Optometry about 180 credits and professional status qualification as optician with contact lens qualification. Or Nurse degree of at least 180 credits, professional status qualification as nurse and 60 credits supplementation within eye care.

Knowledge in Swedish and English equivalent Swedish B/ Swedish 3 and English A/ English 6 (with lowest grade Passed).

Students who have failed their VIL (clinical training opportunity) after demonstrating serious deficiencies in understanding, skill, or professional attitude, and done this to the degree that client or patient safety or client/ patient/ employer trust for the healthcare has been jeopardised, will qualify for a new VIL opportunity only after completion of an individual action plan.

After the course, the student should be able to

Knowledge and understanding
1. apply knowledge of ocular pharmacology, neuro-optometry, eye diseases, binocular vision, pediatric optometry and investigation guidelines in their own clinical work

Competence and skills
2. adapt the examination methods to the question, situation, and patient, and perform them with high quality
3. interpret and relate the outcome of examination results or clinical findings to a reasonable working diagnosis and differential diagnosis
4. handle and/or refer patients with vision impairment, eye diseases, and other diseases affecting the eyes, as well as patients at risk of developing eye diseases
5. formulate targeted referrals with relevant information to facilitate prioritization by the receiving institution
6. define the concept of screening and reflect on its applicability based on the situation in global and national context
7. contribute to the learning of other students and use peer feedback as a tool for competence development

Judgement and approach
8. approach all types of patients with respect, and inform as well as involve the patient in care planning
9. assess and evaluate the moral and ethical aspects of conducting examinations that may cause discomfort or risks for the patient, and involve the patient in the decision
10. describe the significance of their own and other professional roles from an interprofessional perspective and be able to implement this in patient care, thereby creating conditions for sustainable eye care.

The course is clinical and is based on clinical training (VIL) through patient care in the optometrist training clinic. The students perform eye health examinations and thereby applying knowledge obtained from the program's other courses into practice. During the course, students compile a clinical portfolio with an emphasis on reflection. In addition, there is an increase in competence through seminars on methods for investigation of dry eye disease and glaucoma and through auscultation at an external eye clinic. The end of the course contains a case seminar, where the students carry out a case presentation and other students and professions are invited to participate in evidence- and experience-based discussions.

The course is divided into the following three modules:

The course includes self-studies, written assignments and active participation in VIL and seminars.

​Some course elements are compulsory, see heading "Examination".

The course is examined in the following way:

Module 1, Scientific development, examines aim 1-5, 7,10
a) compulsory clinical portfolio according to instructions
b) compulsory participation in external clinical practice (observational training)
c) compulsory attendance with active participation in case seminar
d) compulsory written assignment

The module is graded U (Fail) or G (Pass). The grade G requires fulfillment of compulsory course elements, according to instructions.

Module 2, Clinical work, examines aim 1-10
a) continuous examination of clinical proficiencies and patient care during VIL, is graded U, G or VG (Pass with distinction)
b) compulsory attendance with active participation in seminars

The module is graded U, G or VG. The grade G requires G on examination a, as well as fulfillment of compulsory course elements according to instructions. The grade VG requires VG on examination a, as well as fulfillment of compulsory course elements according to instructions.

Module 3, Theoretical understanding, examines aim 1-4, 6, 9-10
a) written examination, is graded U, G or VG

The module is graded as the written examination, U, G or VG.

Course grade
The entire course is graded U, G or VG. 
The grade G on the entire course requires at least G on module 1, 2 and 3.
The grade VG on the entire course requires G on module 1, and VG on module 2 and 3.
 
Absence from or unfullfillment of compulsory course element
The examiner decides whether, and if so how, absence from or unfulfillment of compulsory course elements can be made up for. Study results cannot be reported until the student has participated in or fulfilled compulsory course elements, or compensated for any absence/ failure to fulfill in accordance with instructions from the examiner. Absence from or unfulfillment of a compulsory course element may imply that the student can not retake the element until the next time the course is offered.

Guidelines in case of failure of VIL
The examiner may, with immediate effect, interrupt a student's clinical placement (or equivalent) if the student demonstrates such serious deficiencies in knowledge, skills or attitude that patient safety or patient confidence in healthcare is at risk. If a clinical placement is interrupted in this way the student is deemed to have failed that element and to have used up one clinical placement opportunity. In such cases, an individual action plan should be set up stating which activities and tests are required before the student is qualified for a new clinical placement on the course.

Limited access to VIL (clinical training opportunity)
Regarding VIL, the number of times a student has the right to participate/go through the course and thus be assessed on the same is not limited. However, participation in VIL will only be offered on the condition that there is a place available in the course.

Possibility of exception from the course syllabus' regulations on examination
If there are special grounds, or a need for adaptation for a student with a disability, the examiner may decide to deviate from the syllabus's regulations on the examination form, the number of examination opportunities, the possibility of supplementation or exemptions from the compulsory section/s of the course etc. Content and learning outcomes as well as the level of expected knowledge, skills and attitudes may not be changed, removed or reduced.

If the course is cancelled or goes through substantial changes, information about interim regulations will be stated here.

Course evaluation takes place according to guidelines established by Karolinska Institutet.

Teaching in English may occur.